Virginia Commonwealth University Health has fired a nurse who posted TikTok videos urging medical professionals to inject U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents with a paralytic drug. The videos also suggested using poison ivy water guns and laxatives to disrupt agents' work. The hospital conducted an investigation and terminated her employment in response.
On January 27, 2026, social media account Libs of TikTok highlighted videos posted by a nurse at Virginia Commonwealth University Health, identifying her as Melinda with the TikTok handle Redheadredemption. In one video, wearing scrubs, she encouraged doctors and nurses to 'grab some syringes with needles on the end' and fill them with 'saline or succinylcholine,' adding, 'Whatever. Whatever,' and stating it would 'probably be a deterrent' to sabotage ICE agents.
In another video, she suggested shooting ICE officers in the face with poison ivy-soaked water from a water gun. She also urged single women to use dating apps like Tinder and Hinge to meet ICE agents, spike their drinks with laxatives such as Ex-Lax to incapacitate them, saying, 'Nobody’s gonna die, it’s just enough to incapacitate them and get them off the street for the next day.' She further advised, 'Let’s make their lives f*cking miserable,' and encouraged hotel staff to hide 'dead fish' in agents' rooms.
VCU Health issued a statement on Tuesday confirming, '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 posts occur amid heightened risks for ICE agents, with death threats increasing by 8,000% and assaults surging by more than 1,300%.
This incident reflects broader tensions over federal immigration enforcement efforts under the Trump administration, though no direct connection to other reported anti-ICE rhetoric, such as statements from celebrities or prosecutors, was mentioned in relation to this case.
