Administrative law judge

An administrative law judge has recommended that the Florida Department of Health reprimand and fine Lexie Lawler, a Boca Raton labor and delivery nurse who lost her license after posting a TikTok wishing former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who was pregnant, a painful and traumatic childbirth. The video went viral in January 2026 after being amplified by right-wing commentator Chaya Raichik ("Libs of TikTok"), drawing condemnation from Republican officials including Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who called for her license to be revoked. The Department of Health had suspended Lawler's license under an emergency order citing unprofessional conduct, and she subsequently lost her job at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital.

In a Sept. 1 recommended order, Judge Robert Cohen proposed a reprimand, a $250 fine, continuing education on social media use, and repayment of investigation costs, calling it a low-end penalty given Lawler's clean 12-year record and the loss of her job. Lawler's attorney says she will file exceptions, arguing the misconduct rule requires language directed at or in front of a patient, which did not occur.