Nurse suspended after calling out doctor who allegedly “cheered” Charlie Kirk killing

A New Jersey nurse, Lexi Kuenzle, has filed a lawsuit against Englewood Health after allegedly being suspended for speaking out against a doctor who celebrated the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kuenzle, a nurse with more than a decade of professional experience, claims the conflict erupted shortly after news broke of Kirk’s fatal shooting during his American Comeback Tour stop at Utah Valley University.

According to Kuenzle, the tense exchange began when Dr. Matthew Jung, a bariatric surgeon at the hospital, reacted to the news by openly expressing joy over Kirk’s death. She alleges that Jung made the comments not only in front of fellow staff members but also in the presence of a patient, a setting she described as shocking and deeply inappropriate.

Kuenzle says she was stunned by what she heard. Confronting Jung immediately, she questioned how a member of the medical profession — someone sworn to protect and care for life — could justify celebrating the death of a non-violent political commentator, no matter how controversial his views might have been. Later, she recounted the moment as “mind-blowing,” adding that it left her shaken for the rest of her shift.

Though Jung allegedly attempted to downplay the situation afterward, even offering to buy lunch for the staff, Kuenzle felt his actions could not be brushed aside. Believing that silence would make her complicit, she reported the incident to hospital management. But what she expected to be taken seriously as a matter of workplace ethics and professionalism quickly spiraled into something else.

The very next day, Kuenzle says she was informed she was suspended without pay. Even more troubling, she claims she was warned that her job was at risk and that she could face termination. To Kuenzle, the suspension felt like punishment for standing up for her principles rather than a fair response to a troubling situation.

Her attorney, John Coyle, argues that Englewood Health’s actions amount to retaliation and a violation of New Jersey state law. The lawsuit cites multiple claims, including violations of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, the creation of a hostile work environment, and failures to uphold protections outlined under the state’s whistleblower statute. “Ms. Kuenzle did exactly what any ethical professional should do — she spoke up against conduct that was inappropriate and harmful,” Coyle said. “Instead of being supported, she was punished.”

Englewood Health, for its part, has offered a more measured account. In a brief public statement, the hospital confirmed that both Kuenzle and Dr. Jung had been suspended pending an internal investigation. The hospital stressed that Kuenzle had not been fired, and said that claims suggesting otherwise were “inaccurate and misleading.” In addition, Dr. Jung’s profile was quietly removed from the hospital’s website, further fueling speculation about the seriousness of the allegations.

The controversy has quickly spread beyond the hospital walls, drawing national attention. Kuenzle, who has been an outspoken conservative on social media, frequently shares pro-Trump content and commentary online. Her political identity, already visible to the public, became central to the case when prominent GOP activist Scott Presler publicly defended her, praising her courage while questioning Dr. Jung’s professionalism.

The lawsuit has sparked wider debate about the boundaries of free expression, the obligations of medical professionals, and the role politics plays in the workplace. Critics argue that a doctor openly celebrating anyone’s death undermines the integrity of the medical profession. Supporters of Kuenzle say her suspension represents a dangerous precedent where speaking up against misconduct leads to retaliation.

For now, the case highlights the delicate balance between personal beliefs and professional responsibility. As the investigation continues, both Kuenzle and Englewood Health remain under the public spotlight, their dispute serving as a flashpoint in an already polarized climate.