Florida Nurse Voluntarily Gives Up License After Refusing to Treat MAGA Patients

The nurse claimed he had the right to deny care based on political beliefs, but the state attorney general said healthcare is not contingent on politics.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 10:39pm

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A Florida nurse named Erik Martindale has voluntarily relinquished his nursing license after saying he would not "perform anesthesia" for "MAGA" patients. The Florida Attorney General called this unacceptable, stating that healthcare should not be contingent on political beliefs. Martindale later claimed his social media account was hacked, but a state official confirmed he gave up his license, also citing that he moved out of state without notifying the nursing board.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions around the politicization of healthcare and the ethical duty of medical professionals to treat all patients with respect, regardless of their political affiliations or beliefs. It raises questions about whether healthcare providers can legally refuse service based on political views, and the potential consequences for those who do.

The details

In a since-deleted social media post, Martindale stated: "I will not perform anesthesia for any surgeries or procedures for MAGA. It is my right, it is my ethical oath, and I stand behind my education. I own all of my businesses and I can refuse anyone!" The Florida Attorney General called this unacceptable, saying "Healthcare is not contingent on political beliefs, and we have zero tolerance for partisans who put politics above their ethical duty to treat patients with the respect and dignity they deserve." Martindale later claimed his account was hacked, but a state official confirmed he relinquished his license, also noting he broke the nursing compact agreement by moving to Indiana without notifying the Florida Board of Nursing.

  • On January 29, 2026, Martindale relinquished his nursing license in Florida.

The players

Erik Martindale

A former Florida nurse who voluntarily gave up his nursing license after saying he would not provide anesthesia to "MAGA" patients.

James Uthmeier

The Florida Attorney General who stated that healthcare should not be contingent on political beliefs and that the state has "zero tolerance" for medical professionals who put politics above their ethical duty to treat all patients.

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What they’re saying

“Healthcare is not contingent on political beliefs, and we have zero tolerance for partisans who put politics above their ethical duty to treat patients with the respect and dignity they deserve.”

— James Uthmeier, Florida Attorney General (X)

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity and impartiality of the healthcare system, where the ethical duty to treat all patients should supersede personal political views. It raises concerns about the potential for further politicization of medical care and the need for clear guidelines to ensure healthcare professionals uphold their responsibilities to the public, regardless of their own political affiliations.