Anti-ICE Nurse Fired After Viral Videos Show Her Suggesting Ways to Harm Federal Agents

Nurse Malinda Rose Cook was terminated from VCU Health after posting videos instructing people to sabotage ICE agents.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 12:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A nurse named Malinda Rose Cook was fired from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health after posting TikTok videos that went viral, in which she instructed healthcare providers and the public on ways to harm federal immigration agents. The videos showed Cook suggesting the use of paralytic drugs, poison ivy, and laxatives to target ICE agents. VCU Health confirmed the nurse's employment and launched an investigation, ultimately terminating her.

Why it matters

This incident highlights growing tensions between some healthcare workers and federal immigration enforcement, as well as the potential dangers of medical professionals misusing their expertise and access to harm others. It raises concerns about the appropriate boundaries for political activism by those in positions of public trust and access.

The details

In the videos, Cook, who worked in anesthesiology at VCU Medical Center, told 'all medical providers' to fill syringes with the paralytic drug succinylcholine to use as a 'deterrent' against ICE agents. She also suggested putting poison ivy in water to spray at agents and encouraging single women to meet up with ICE agents on dating apps in order to slip laxatives into their drinks.

  • The videos were posted to Cook's since-deleted TikTok account, 'Redheadredemption'.
  • VCU Health confirmed the nurse's employment and launched an investigation on January 28, 2026.
  • Later that evening on January 28, 2026, VCU Health announced that Cook was 'no longer employed' at the hospital.

The players

Malinda Rose Cook

A nurse who worked in anesthesiology at VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, and posted viral TikTok videos instructing people on ways to harm federal immigration agents.

VCU Health

The major academic healthcare provider that employed Cook and launched an investigation after the videos went viral, ultimately terminating her employment.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We prioritize the health and safety of anyone who comes to us for care. We are aware of a series of videos that appear to have been posted by an individual confirmed to be an employee of our health system. The content of the videos is highly inappropriate and does not reflect the integrity or values of our health system.”

— VCU Health

“Following an investigation, the individual involved in the social media videos is no longer employed by VCU Health. In addition, VCU Health has fulfilled its reporting requirements under Virginia state law.”

— VCU Health

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for healthcare workers to maintain strict professional boundaries and avoid misusing their medical knowledge or access for political purposes, even in the face of strong personal views. It also highlights the potential consequences for those who cross that line, as VCU Health took swift action to terminate the nurse's employment.