A Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health nurse has been terminated after posting disturbing social media videos that proposed harmful actions against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
On Tuesday morning, VCU Health and VCU Police launched an investigation into viral posts on X, shared by the account LibsOfTikTok, which featured a nurse employed by the health system. The videos, originally posted on a now-deleted TikTok account named Redheadredemption, gained attention after a compilation of three clips surfaced, sparking widespread outrage.
VCU confirmed the individual was an employee and, following an investigation, announced the nurse is no longer employed while fulfilling reporting requirements under Virginia state law.
Fox News reported that while the investigation unfolded, VCU placed the nurse on administrative leave, ensuring no interaction with patients or access to facilities. The health system described the video content as highly inappropriate and not reflective of its values or integrity. VCU Police assisted in the probe to address the serious nature of the posts.
In one video, captioned with hashtags like resistance and sabotage, the nurse described a tactic involving syringes filled with saline or succinylcholine, a drug causing temporary muscle paralysis. “Have them full of saline or succinylcholine, you know, whatever,” the nurse said in the clip. This casual reference to a powerful anesthetic as a deterrent raises alarms about intent and responsibility.
Another video, titled with a resistance hashtag, suggested using poison ivy or oak mixed in water, loaded into a water gun, and aimed at faces or hands. Such ideas, even if meant as jest, carry a dangerous edge when broadcast publicly by a medical professional.
While personal opinions are everyone’s right, suggesting harm against federal agents crosses a line that many find indefensible.
A third video, captioned Stay Toxic, urged single women to date ICE agents via apps, then spike their drinks with laxatives to incapacitate them. “Get them sick... nobody’s going to die,” the nurse claimed, calling it easily deniable. This cavalier attitude toward causing harm, even non-lethal, erodes trust in those sworn to heal.
The same clip went further, encouraging followers to target places where ICE agents eat or stay, like hotels, to make their lives difficult. The nurse pushed for gathering intel on breakfast providers or other workers connected to agents. This level of calculated disruption feels more like a vendetta than a protest.
VCU’s swift response to terminate employment sends a clear message that such behavior won’t be tolerated in healthcare settings. “Following an investigation, the individual involved in the social media videos is no longer employed by VCU Health,” the hospital stated. It’s a necessary step to protect the institution’s reputation and patient trust.
The broader context of ICE’s role in immigration enforcement often stirs passionate opinions, and that’s understandable given the complex debates around border policies. But using a platform tied to one’s medical credentials to suggest sabotage or harm isn’t just a personal misstep—it’s a professional betrayal. Healthcare workers hold a sacred duty to prioritize well-being, not undermine it.
Public reaction on X, amplified by accounts like LibsOfTikTok, shows how quickly such content can spiral into a firestorm. Many users expressed outrage not just at the suggestions, but at the audacity of a nurse using their role’s visibility for such messaging. It’s a stark reminder of social media’s double-edged power.
While the nurse’s intent—whether serious or satirical—remains unclear, the impact is undeniable: trust in medical professionals takes a hit. Even if meant as hyperbole, these videos fuel division at a time when unity in upholding ethical standards matters most. The line between venting frustration and inciting harm is thin, and this case crossed it.
VCU’s handling, including placing the nurse on leave during the investigation, reflects a commitment to accountability. But it also raises questions about how institutions monitor or respond to employees’ online behavior before it goes viral. Proactive measures could prevent such controversies from erupting.
Ultimately, this incident underscores the tension between individual expression and professional responsibility, especially in fields like healthcare, where public trust is paramount. While frustration with federal policies like ICE enforcement is a valid sentiment for many, channeling it into harmful suggestions undermines legitimate critique. It’s a lesson in restraint we can’t afford to ignore.
