A Florida registered nurse has set off a national backlash after publicly declaring that he would refuse to administer anesthesia to patients who support former President Donald Trump or identify as Republicans—an assertion critics say collides head-on with the ethical foundations of modern medicine.
The nurse, Erik Martindale, made the statement in a social-media comment that circulated widely after being screenshot and shared early Monday by the Twitter account Libs of TikTok. “I will not perform anesthesia for any surgeries or procedures for MAGA,” Martindale wrote. “It is my right, it is my ethical oath, and I stand behind my education.”
Meet Erik Martindale, a registered Florida nurse.
He says he won’t give anesthesia for Republicans undergoing surgery and believes that’s his right and is ethical.
He needs to be fired and stripped of his license immediately. @FLNursingBoard pic.twitter.com/CP3dWHH1CX
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 26, 2026
Within hours, the post had ricocheted across the platform, drawing tens of thousands of reactions and millions of views. Libs of TikTok tagged the Florida Board of Nursing and urged officials to revoke Martindale’s license, calling the statement an open admission of discriminatory medical practice.
The reaction was swift and severe. Conservative commentators and medical professionals alike argued that refusing care based on political belief is not only unethical but potentially dangerous. Several nurses responded publicly, warning that such views—if acted upon—would undermine patient safety and violate the profession’s core obligation to treat all patients without prejudice.
Medical associations need to come down on this so hard that the fallout can be seen from space
Medical workers who flirt with this kind of behavior are eroding a foundational brick of modern civilization https://t.co/YsINcHNPeH
— PoIiMath (@politicalmath) January 26, 2026
Under Florida law and professional standards enforced by the Florida Board of Nursing, licensees are required to provide care without discrimination. Those standards mirror national guidance from the American Nurses Association, which emphasizes impartial treatment as a foundational duty of nursing practice. Violations can result in disciplinary action ranging from reprimand to license suspension or revocation.
The post comes on the heels of another liberal nurse from Florida being fired after she posted a video wishing for “severe childbirth injuries on White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.”
According to reports, in the video, Lawler says it “gives [her] great joy” to wish Leavitt would suffer a fourth-degree tear during childbirth — the most severe type of obstetric tear.
The Florida Board of Nursing should yank this vile person’s license, immediately. She doesn’t belong anywhere near patients. https://t.co/2JuuwtyFbN
— James Uthmeier (@JamesUthmeierFL) January 24, 2026
“The Florida Board of Nursing should yank this vile person’s license, immediately. She doesn’t belong anywhere near patients.” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said in a post calling for her dismissal.
[Read More: Organized Violence Against ICE]
IRS Raid time then for MD etc.
Shake up HC system in FL
From what I know registered nurses are not allowed to administer anesthesia since that is an entirely different function. Nursing does not train people in this profession. But that is not the problem. The problem is this person cannot be allowed to work in any medical facility just like a child sex abusing teacher can be allowed to work with children.