Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a labor-and-delivery nurse has been barred from practicing in the state after posting a now-viral social media video in which she wished a severe childbirth injury on White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The action follows earlier reports that the nurse had already been fired from her hospital job, raising a statewide debate over professionalism, ethics, and social-media conduct among healthcare workers.
On January 28, 2026, the Florida Department of Health issued an emergency suspension of the nursing license of Alexis Backer Lawler, R.N., of Boca Raton, after she posted a vulgar video targeting Leavitt amid Leavitt’s pregnancy announcement. According to the emergency order obtained by Fox News Digital, State Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo, M.D., Ph.D., signed the suspension, and AG Uthmeier confirmed that Lawler is “no longer allowed to practice nursing in Florida.”
The controversial TikTok video showed Lawler, formerly employed at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital, making graphic statements wishing a “fourth degree tear” and ongoing injury on Press Secretary Leavitt during childbirth — remarks widely condemned as unethical and harmful to the integrity of medical care. The hospital quickly fired Lawler, stating her comments did not reflect institutional values or standards of patient care.
AG Uthmeier took to X to defend the state’s action, saying statements that wish “pain and suffering on anyone, when directly related to one’s practice, cross an ethical line” and those who fail to uphold safe, unbiased care should not remain licensed. He reiterated that firing the nurse was insufficient and that the state must uphold professional standards for health practitioners.
The suspension and public remarks by the attorney general come amid broader discussions about professionals’ conduct on social media and the balance between free speech and workplace responsibilities. In earlier coverage, Uthmeier called for the Florida Board of Nursing to revoke Lawler’s license, citing concerns about partisan motivations and threats presented by such comments from a medical provider. Some critics of the initial call argued revocation over speech risks chilling free expression.
Leavitt, who announced she is expecting her second child—a baby girl—in May 2026, did not publicly respond to the incident. Baptist Health’s statement emphasized the institution’s commitment to professional standards and respectful treatment for all patients and public figures, regardless of political views.
The decision by Florida’s top legal official underscores state efforts to enforce ethical conduct among licensed professionals and addresses concerns over the impact of personal social-media posts on public trust in healthcare.
