MAGA Patients DENIED Anesthesia

Doctor filling syringe with vaccine from vial.

A Florida nurse sparked outrage after announcing on social media that he would refuse to administer anesthesia to MAGA Republicans, claiming it was his “ethical oath” and right as a business owner—a statement that has prompted Florida’s Attorney General to demand the immediate revocation of his nursing license.

Story Snapshot

Erik Martindale, a Florida registered nurse, posted on Facebook that he would deny anesthesia to MAGA Republicans, citing his “ethical oath” as justification
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier publicly called for the state nursing board to revoke Martindale’s license after the post went viral
Martindale deleted the post and claimed his social media accounts were hacked, though the authenticity of this claim remains unverified
The incident mirrors a recent case where another Florida nurse was fired for targeting White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt online

Nurse Declares Political Discrimination in Critical Medical Role

Erik Martindale, a University of Miami-educated registered nurse working in anesthesiology, posted a statement on Facebook on January 26, 2026, declaring he would refuse to provide anesthesia services to patients who support President Trump’s MAGA movement. Martindale justified his position by claiming it was his “right” and “ethical oath,” citing his education and business ownership as enabling factors. The post included a photo of him in nursing uniform and rapidly spread across social media platforms, drawing immediate condemnation from medical professionals and the public who recognized the statement as a fundamental violation of medical ethics requiring impartial patient care regardless of political affiliation.

Attorney General Demands License Revocation

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier responded swiftly to the controversy by publicly calling on the Florida Board of Nursing to revoke Martindale’s license. Uthmeier’s intervention mirrors his recent action in the case of Lexie Lawler, a Boca Raton nurse fired by Baptist Health in January 2026 after posting a TikTok video wishing severe childbirth complications on pregnant White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The AG’s forceful response reflects growing concern about healthcare workers who openly discriminate based on political beliefs, particularly in critical care roles where patients are most vulnerable. As of late January 2026, the nursing board had not confirmed any investigation or disciplinary action, though public pressure continues mounting for immediate regulatory intervention.

Medical Ethics Experts Condemn Political Discrimination

Christina Pushaw, a former press secretary and political commentator, stated that “radical politics and contempt for any group of patients have no place in medicine,” noting that the nursing board would penalize similar refusals based on race or religion. Medical professionals across the political spectrum agree that the Hippocratic tradition demands non-discriminatory care, with oaths explicitly prohibiting refusals based on personal characteristics including political beliefs. Martindale’s claim that denying anesthesia to MAGA patients represents an “ethical oath” directly contradicts established medical standards that require professionals to treat all patients impartially. This perversion of medical ethics to justify political discrimination represents a dangerous erosion of trust in healthcare institutions at a time when Americans need confidence that medical professionals will prioritize patient welfare over partisan agendas.

Hack Claim Fails to Quell Backlash

After deleting his original post, Martindale claimed that his Facebook, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram accounts had been hacked, though he provided no evidence supporting this assertion. The timing of the hack claim—coming only after massive public backlash and calls for license revocation—has drawn widespread skepticism from commentators who note the convenient nature of such defenses when controversial posts go viral. Multiple screenshots of the original post circulated on platforms including X (formerly Twitter), where influential accounts like Libs of TikTok amplified the story to millions of followers. Public comments flooded social media demanding Martindale lose both his job and license, with many drawing parallels to how healthcare providers who refused service based on race or religion would face immediate professional consequences.

Pattern Emerges Among Anti-Conservative Healthcare Workers

The Martindale incident represents part of a troubling pattern where healthcare workers openly express hostility toward conservative patients and political figures. Lexie Lawler, the nurse fired for targeting Karoline Leavitt, has defended her actions as “political speech” and established a GoFundMe for legal defense, framing her termination as unjust persecution. Both Martindale and Lawler have referenced anti-ICE protests and tensions surrounding Minnesota incidents, including the death of ICU nurse Alex Pretti during an ICE operation, as context for their rhetoric. However, this attempted justification ignores the fundamental principle that personal political grievances cannot override professional obligations to provide impartial care. For Americans frustrated with woke ideology infiltrating every institution, these cases demonstrate how radical left-wing politics threaten patient safety when healthcare workers prioritize activism over their duty to heal all who need care, regardless of political beliefs.

The Florida Board of Nursing now faces intense scrutiny as the public awaits their response to Attorney General Uthmeier’s demand for action. Whether the board moves swiftly to revoke Martindale’s license will signal how seriously Florida regulators take the protection of patients from political discrimination in healthcare settings. For conservative Americans who have watched institutions become weaponized against their values, this case represents a critical test of whether professional standards will be enforced equally or whether left-wing healthcare workers will receive special treatment for behavior that would end any conservative’s career immediately.