WHAT HAPPENED: A nurse was fired after posting TikTok videos advising others to harm U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
WHO WAS INVOLVED: Malinda Rose Cook, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health, and ICE agents.
WHEN & WHERE: January 2026, Virginia.
KEY QUOTE: “Following an investigation, the individual involved in the social media videos is no longer employed by VCU Health.” – VCU Health statement.
IMPACT: Cook has been reported to law enforcement, and her videos have been widely condemned online.
A nurse formerly employed by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health has been terminated after posting TikTok videos that appeared to encourage violence against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, prompting an investigation and referral to law enforcement. Malinda Rose Cook, whose videos circulated widely online, urged viewers to target ICE agents using tactics that included poisoning.
In one video, she told fellow medical professionals, “All the medical providers, grab some syringes with needles on the end. Have them full of saline or succinylcholine, you know, whatever. Whatever. That will probably be a deterrent. Be safe.” Succinylcholine is a fast-acting paralytic commonly used in medical settings.
In other posts, Cook suggested soaking poison ivy or poison oak in water and spraying ICE agents with it, advising followers to “Aim for faces, hands.” She also proposed incapacitating agents with laxatives, telling followers to use dating apps to identify ICE personnel, arrange dates with them, and spike their drinks. “Just enough to incapacitate them and get them off the street for the next day,” she said.
VCU Health confirmed Cook’s termination in a statement, saying, “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.” The hospital said the matter was also referred to local law enforcement authorities. Many have expressed concern that someone advocating harm against law enforcement could have been entrusted with patient care responsibilities.
The incident comes amid escalating national tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and a rise in attacks on and threats against ICE agents. Federal officials have said they are investigating online groups and encrypted messaging channels allegedly used to coordinate harassment or interference with ICE operations.
Meet Melinda, a healthcare worker at @VCUHealth. She posted a series of videos encouraging people to inject ICE agents with succinylocholine, a temporary paralysis drug, and spray poison on them. She also encourages woman to go on dates with agents and drug their food.
Any… pic.twitter.com/CMJN12GhOc
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 27, 2026
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