The ripple effects of Charlie Kirk’s assassination are reaching far beyond politics and law enforcement. In New Jersey, a longtime nurse says her career has been derailed simply because she spoke up when a doctor allegedly celebrated Kirk’s death in front of hospital staff — and even in front of a patient.
Now, she’s taking her employer to court.
A Tragedy Reverberates Across Professions
Kirk’s shocking death during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on September 10 has left the nation grieving and divided. Beyond the investigation into the shooting itself, the backlash has spread into everyday workplaces — with teachers, firefighters, journalists, and even a Secret Service employee reportedly facing consequences tied to their reactions.
For Lexi Kuenzle, a 33-year-old nurse with nearly two years at Englewood Health in New Jersey, the fallout was personal and immediate.
“He Had It Coming”
Kuenzle says that when news of Kirk’s killing broke, she and several colleagues were discussing it at the hospital. Present in the room were eight nurses, one patient on a stretcher, and Dr. Matthew Jung, a bariatric surgeon on staff.
Her reaction to the news was one of sadness and disbelief.
“Oh, my God! That’s terrible! I love him!” Kuenzle recalled saying.
According to her lawsuit, Dr. Jung shot back with words that stunned everyone present:
“I hate Charlie Kirk. He had it coming. He deserved it.”
Kuenzle said she immediately challenged him: “You’re a doctor. How could you say someone deserved to die?”
In interviews afterward, she described his remarks as “mind-blowing” and admitted she was furious.
Dr. Jung allegedly tried to smooth things over by offering to buy lunch for Kuenzle and the nurses. But for Kuenzle, the damage was done.
The Aftermath: Suspension and Shock
Kuenzle reported the incident to her supervisors and later shared her outrage on social media. Instead of support, she says, she was punished.
By the next day, she had been suspended without pay and warned that termination was likely.
Her attorney, John Coyle, filed a lawsuit on her behalf. In the complaint, he wrote:
“She had the audacity to question how Dr. Jung can comply with the Hippocratic Oath and the American Medical Association’s Code of Medical Ethics while celebrating the murder of a non-violent Christian speaker who was on a college campus.”
The lawsuit alleges:
- Violation of New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination
- Retaliation for Kuenzle’s Christian faith
- Creation of a hostile work environment
- Violation of the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA)
Kuenzle is requesting a jury trial and seeking damages.
Hospital’s Response
In a statement to Fox News, Englewood Health confirmed that both Kuenzle and Dr. Jung had been suspended pending investigation.
“Contrary to certain media reports, the nurse was not fired,” the hospital clarified. “Any reported suggestions that the nurse should seek other employment was not an official or accurate statement from Englewood Health.”
By Sunday, Dr. Jung’s profile had already been removed from the hospital’s website.
A Conservative Voice in the Spotlight
Kuenzle is no stranger to political expression. On her Instagram account, she frequently shares pro-Trump content, including photos of herself holding an American flag or posing with a life-sized cardboard cutout of the former president.
Her political leanings have made her an outspoken conservative voice online — something her supporters believe made her an easy target for suspension.
Conservative activist Scott Presler came to her defense, praising her as one of “Charlie’s Angels.” He raised a pointed question about Dr. Jung’s professionalism:
“Would he treat patients differently if they didn’t share his politics? Would he allow his emotions to cloud his judgment, as he did by saying such a statement in front of a patient?”
Larger Questions About Ethics and Free Speech
This case has struck a chord with many Americans because it highlights broader debates about ethics, free speech, and workplace fairness.
For some, Kuenzle’s suspension feels like an injustice — punishing a whistleblower for standing up against what she believed was unethical behavior. After all, if a doctor publicly declared that a political figure “deserved” to die, shouldn’t colleagues be free to call it out?
Others argue that healthcare institutions must tread carefully. Hospitals are high-pressure environments where politics can easily create division among staff and patients. Leadership may feel compelled to act quickly to preserve stability — even if that means suspending both parties while investigating.
The Hippocratic Oath at the Center
The controversy also raises an uncomfortable question: What happens when medical professionals allow their personal politics to seep into patient care?
The Hippocratic Oath and the AMA’s Code of Medical Ethics emphasize that doctors must treat all patients fairly, regardless of personal opinion. For Kuenzle, Dr. Jung’s remarks violated the spirit of that promise.
Her attorney argues that celebrating any individual’s violent death — especially in front of a patient — undermines public trust in medicine.
Public Reactions
Online, the story has sparked strong emotions. Supporters of Kuenzle call her suspension an example of cancel culture run amok, while critics of Kirk’s politics argue that the outrage is misplaced.
But even among those who disagree politically, many acknowledge that professionalism should be nonpartisan — especially in healthcare.
For seniors and working Americans who have spent decades in professional environments, the case strikes a familiar nerve: Where is the line between personal opinion and workplace conduct?
What Comes Next
Kuenzle’s lawsuit will now move forward in New Jersey courts, where a jury may eventually decide whether her suspension was illegal retaliation or a justified response by hospital leadership.
In the meantime, she remains suspended, her career in limbo.
Her attorney has framed the case not only as a fight for her personal rights but as a broader stand for workplace accountability. “This is about whether employees can be punished for defending ethics and speaking the truth,” he said.
The story of Lexi Kuenzle is about more than one nurse, one doctor, or one hospital. It is about the collision of politics, ethics, and free speech in one of the most sensitive settings imaginable: a hospital.
Was she right to speak up? Most people would say yes. Should she have been suspended for it? That’s where the debate begins.
As the lawsuit unfolds, it may set a precedent not only for Englewood Health but for workplaces across the country. Because in a time when politics seems to touch every corner of life, the question remains: What is the cost of speaking up?
