Florida AG Takes Action on Nurse’s Threat

February 1, 2026

A Florida nurse’s shocking declaration that he would refuse anesthesia to conservative patients based on their political beliefs has cost him his medical license, exposing the dangerous intersection of radical leftist ideology and healthcare.

Story Highlights

Erik Martindale posted on social media that he would deny anesthesia to MAGA patients, claiming it was his “ethical oath”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Martindale is no longer a registered nurse in Florida as of January 29, 2026
Martindale later claimed his accounts were hacked, though his Facebook and Instagram have since been taken down
The case follows similar incidents involving Florida nurse Lexie Lawler and Virginia nurse Malinda Cook, revealing a disturbing pattern

Nurse’s Shocking Social Media Declaration

Erik Martindale, a registered nurse and business owner in Florida, ignited a firestorm on January 26, 2026, when he posted on social media that he would refuse to perform anesthesia for any MAGA patients. His post brazenly stated: “I will not perform anesthesia for any surgeries or procedures for MAGA. It is my right, it is my ethical oath, and I stand behind my education. I own all of my businesses and I can refuse anyone.” The declaration went viral after being shared by the social media account Libs of TikTok, drawing immediate condemnation from conservatives who recognized this as a direct threat to patient safety and medical ethics.

Nurse Who Said He'd Deny Conservatives Anesthesia During Surgery Loses Licensehttps://t.co/3OufdBpo9W pic.twitter.com/ZqbfmG4N5z

— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) January 29, 2026

Swift Legal Consequences and License Relinquishment

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier responded decisively on January 29, 2026, announcing via social media that Martindale was “no longer a registered nurse in Florida.” Uthmeier’s statement made clear that “Healthcare is not contingent on political beliefs, and we have zero tolerance for partisans who put politics above their ethical duty to treat patients with the respect and dignity they deserve.” While the Florida Department of Health portal lists Martindale’s license as “voluntarily relinquished” rather than formally revoked, the timing immediately following the Attorney General’s announcement raises questions about how voluntary this action truly was. Records also show Martindale violated nursing compact agreements by relocating to Indiana without notifying the Florida Board of Nursing.

Legal Analysis Exposes Dangerous Misconception

Martindale’s claim that refusing anesthesia based on political beliefs was his “right” and “ethical oath” demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of both medical ethics and Florida law. Legal analysis confirms that Florida’s conscience rights provisions for healthcare providers are “limited to conscience-based objections to a specific health care service” and explicitly “may not be construed to allow a health care provider to opt out of providing health care services to any patient or potential patient.” Providing anesthesia during surgical procedures does not fall under protected conscience-based objections. This reckless declaration created massive liability exposure for any employer or malpractice insurer, making it impossible for Martindale to continue practicing. No legitimate healthcare facility could tolerate an employee openly discriminating against patients based on political affiliation.

Pattern of Political Extremism in Healthcare Emerges

Martindale’s case represents just one incident in a disturbing trend of healthcare workers allowing radical political ideology to compromise patient care. Within the same timeframe, Lexie Lawler, a labor and delivery nurse at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital, was fired and had her license revoked after posting a TikTok video wishing harm on White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during childbirth. Additionally, Virginia nurse Malinda Cook faced criminal investigation after posting videos encouraging women to drug Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers with anesthetics through dating apps. These cases reveal how deeply leftist hatred has infiltrated the medical profession, creating genuine safety concerns for conservative patients who deserve equal treatment regardless of political beliefs.

Protecting Patient Rights and Medical Ethics

The swift action by Florida’s Attorney General sends a crucial message that political discrimination has no place in healthcare settings. This case reinforces fundamental principles that medical professionals must treat all patients equally, regardless of political affiliation, race, religion, or any other protected characteristic. The enforcement action protects not only conservative patients but upholds the integrity of the entire medical profession. Healthcare employers across Florida now have clear guidance that such discriminatory statements and actions will result in professional consequences, including loss of licensure. This precedent strengthens patient protections and ensures that medical ethics remain grounded in the duty to care for all individuals with dignity and respect, not partisan ideology.