BOCA RATON, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that a Boca Raton nurse is no longer allowed to practice nursing in Florida, escalating state action after a viral TikTok targeting White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Uthmeier announced Wednesday that Alexis "Lexie" Lawler is “no longer allowed to practice nursing in Florida,” citing what he called an ethical breach after the Boca Raton labor and delivery nurse posted a viral TikTok wishing severe childbirth injuries on Leavitt.

In a statement on X, Uthmeier said healthcare professionals who make statements wishing “pain and suffering” on others — especially when tied to their clinical role — cross an ethical line and should not remain licensed. He added that being fired “isn’t good enough,” insisting that nurses who fail to uphold safe and unbiased care "should not be licensed in Florida.”

The attorney general’s announcement marks the strongest public action yet in a controversy that began when CBS12 confirmed that Lawler was fired from Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital after the TikTok video drew widespread attention. According to CBS12, the hospital said her explicit remarks violated its standards of compassionate and unbiased patient care.

In the video, Lawler said it “gives [her] great joy” to wish Leavitt — who is currently expecting a child — a fourth-degree tear, the most severe obstetric injury. The clip sparked immediate outrage and prompted Uthmeier to call her comments “vile,” arguing online that she “doesn’t belong anywhere near patients” and urging the Florida Board of Nursing to revoke her license immediately.

While officials have condemned her remarks, a wave of support has also emerged online. A GoFundMe campaign created by the apparel brand Unlawful Threads describes Lawler’s firing as retaliation for political speech made on her personal social media account, arguing she was punished for comments directed at a public figure rather than a patient.

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Following Uthmeier’s announcement that she is no longer permitted to practice, as of its latest review, the Florida Board of Nursing took formal disciplinary action against Lawler’s license, filing an "Emergency Suspension Order" on Wednesday.

The case continues to generate debate over political speech, professional ethics, and the limits of off-duty conduct for healthcare workers.