A Florida nurse who expressed violent wishes about Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt's pregnancy has faced severe professional consequences, with state authorities revoking her nursing licence in an emergency suspension.
Viral TikTok Comments Spark Immediate Backlash
Alexis 'Lexie' Lawler, a 55-year-old labour and delivery nurse, took to TikTok earlier this month to direct disturbing comments toward 28-year-old Karoline Leavitt, who recently announced her second pregnancy. In the since-viral video, Lawler expressed hope that Leavitt would sustain a fourth-degree tear during childbirth, describing it in graphic and violent terms.
A fourth-degree tear represents the most severe form of childbirth injury, typically requiring surgical intervention and potentially causing long-term complications. Medical professionals consider such injuries serious medical events requiring compassionate care.
Swift Professional Consequences
Lawler faced immediate employment termination from Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital following the video's circulation. Hospital representatives confirmed her dismissal, stating the comments contradicted their values and professional standards for healthcare providers.
Now, Florida's nursing authorities have taken further action by completely revoking Lawler's nursing licence through an emergency suspension process. This decisive move prevents her from practising nursing anywhere within the state.
Official Response and Ethical Boundaries
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier publicly supported the licence revocation, emphasising that healthcare professionals crossing ethical boundaries face serious consequences. On social media platform X, Uthmeier wrote that wishing suffering upon others represents an unacceptable ethical violation when connected to professional practice.
The state's surgeon general authorised the licence suspension, demonstrating official consensus that Lawler's comments violated professional nursing standards despite being made during personal time.
Controversy Over Free Speech and Professional Standards
On her personal Facebook page, Lawler acknowledged speaking angrily while off-duty but contested that anyone should lose their livelihood over speech. She characterised herself as facing consequences for what she described as political expression against figures associated with what she termed a harmful administration.
Supporters have launched a GoFundMe campaign that has raised approximately $10,000, framing the situation as a free speech issue where a liberal woman faced professional retaliation for criticising political figures. The fundraiser description argues Lawler directed her comments at political power rather than her workplace.
Healthcare Ethics Under Scrutiny
The case has sparked broader discussions about where personal expression ends and professional ethical obligations begin for healthcare workers. Medical ethics experts note that while healthcare professionals maintain free speech rights, expressions suggesting they cannot provide compassionate, unbiased care to all patients potentially violate fundamental professional principles.
Hospital representatives emphasised that while respecting personal opinion rights, healthcare has no place for language questioning a caregiver's ability to deliver compassionate care without bias. This position reflects standard professional expectations across medical fields.
The controversy continues to generate discussion about political expression, professional boundaries, and how healthcare workers navigate personal beliefs while maintaining patient trust across diverse populations.
