A Florida disciplinary board has recommended a minimal penalty for a nurse who publicly wished severe birthing injuries on former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. The Florida Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) suggested a $250 fine and education on social media risks for nurse Alexis Lawler.
Lawler, 56, posted a TikTok video in January while Leavitt, 28, was approximately five months pregnant with her second child. In the video, Lawler expressed hope that Leavitt would sustain a "fourth degree tear," a severe medical complication during childbirth. Lawler stated she was exercising her First Amendment rights and expressing dissatisfaction with the government, and that she did not mention her employer in the video.
Administrative judge Robert Cohen, in his recommendation, described Lawler's language as "vile." He noted that directing such a specific outcome to an individual demonstrates a lack of compassion and professionalism, especially from a nurse recognized for her compassionate care.
Lawler had been employed by Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital but was fired following the incident. Her nursing license was also temporarily suspended. The DOAH stopped short of recommending a full revocation of her license, with the final decision resting with the Florida Board of Nurses.
Lawler has been a licensed nurse since 2014 and has previously worked at St. Mary's in West Palm Beach. Her TikTok account was public, a factor considered by the DOAH in its recommendation. The disciplinary board also acknowledged that Lawler had no prior disciplinary actions against her license and had not previously been accused of mistreating patients based on political beliefs.
Baptist Health confirmed that Lawler was no longer employed by the system. A spokesperson stated that the nurse's comments did not reflect the hospital's values or the expected standards of healthcare professionals, emphasizing that there is no place in healthcare for language that questions a caregiver's ability to provide unbiased care.
Lawler's husband organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to help her seek civil rights counsel. The fundraiser's description stated that Lawler was fired for political speech and intended to use donations for legal defense against financial bullying.
The DOAH weighed Lawler's statements against her ability to perform her job and the potential impact on her license. Lawler was accused of violating a Florida statute regarding the use of abusive or foul language. She maintained that she was exercising her right to free speech on her own time and in her own home.
The case will now proceed to the Florida Board of Nurses for a final determination on the penalties.