Nurse Under Investigation for Anti-ICE Video
The head of a medical watchdog organization has criticized Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) after a nurse was fired for a TikTok video that went viral, albeit for negative reasons.
Christina Rasmussen, executive director of Do No Harm, expressed her disapproval of VCU’s approach to incorporating extreme identity politics into medical education and practice. “When radicalism arises from these toxic ideologies, they seem shocked,” she noted.
Do No Harm advocates for the elimination of identity politics in healthcare, representing medical professionals and patients alike against initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) that impact medical training.
Rasmussen asserted, “When medical institutions allow radical politics to dictate their curricula, they end up creating activists instead of competent healthcare providers. The least VCU could do is let go of this nurse. If they don’t change, how can patients feel safe coming to us?”
A Virginia Commonwealth University nurse, Malinda Cook, found herself in hot water after her TikTok videos were highlighted by the popular account LibsOfTikTok. One particular video featured Cook discussing how to “sabotage” ICE agents, a sentiment that sparked outrage.
In the video, she encouraged healthcare workers to bring syringes to incapacitate opponents, mentioning the drug succinylcholine, which induces temporary paralysis. She described this as an intimidation tactic, suggesting it could be an effective “deterrent.” Her recommendations included using poison ivy to create a spray to infect adversaries—an idea she referred to as a “resistance tactic.”
In another clip, Cook shared advice specifically targeted at single women for confronting ICE agents, suggesting they could meet these men on dating apps to disrupt their lives.
VCU Health responded swiftly, labeling Cook’s content “highly inappropriate” and announcing her administrative leave the following morning.
Less than 12 hours later, the hospital confirmed Cook’s termination. VCU Health has not provided comments regarding the situation.
