A Michigan nurse whose profanity-laced video went viral after she appeared to threaten President Donald Trump is now under federal scrutiny, with the U.S. Secret Service confirming it has opened a review. In the short clip, which rocketed around X and other platforms over the weekend, the woman says she planned to "drive up there" with a knife, a line that set off a wave of online outrage and demands for both criminal and licensing action.
Federal officials stepped in after the recording began circulating widely. The Secret Service said it is examining the material and that perceived threats against its protectees are treated as serious business, according to Fox News. The footage took off after the account Right Angle News Network posted the condensed clip on May 31, helping push the video to a much larger audience.
What the Clip Shows
The footage, heavily shared by conservative outlets, shows a woman identified online as Rhonda Lee unleashing a string of expletives and apparently urging violence. In the recording, she can be heard pleading "God, please kill him" and saying she would "drive up there" with a "neck knife," according to published accounts. Portions of the clip that caught federal investigators' attention were carried by the New York Post and other outlets.
Employer Response and Background
As the video spread, attention quickly turned to the nurse's professional ties. Michigan Medicine told reporters it is cooperating with law enforcement as authorities review the post, and said the nurse seen in the clip has not worked at the University of Michigan Medical Center since 2023. IBTimes and other outlets reported on a screenshot of a LinkedIn profile linked to the woman that suggested a long stint at the hospital beginning around 2000, though the health system has confirmed she is no longer on its active staff.
Legal Implications
Threats against the President are not just bad form; they are a federal crime. Under 18 U.S.C. § 871, anyone who knowingly and willfully makes such threats can face up to five years in prison, depending on the circumstances, as outlined in the U.S. Code. Courts have stressed that prosecutions hinge on whether a statement is a "true threat" rather than heated political rhetoric, a line investigators and prosecutors will have to parse as they examine the context and the speaker's intent. See 18 U.S.C. § 871 for the statute and related legal background.
Online Reaction and Next Steps
The clip has drawn swift condemnation across social media, with users calling for criminal charges and professional sanctions. Conservative accounts in particular have boosted the footage and urged authorities to move quickly, according to national coverage. Hindustan Times and other outlets highlighted posts demanding action from licensing boards and current or former employers.
For now, investigators say they are focused on gathering the original recordings, corroborating material, and any additional context needed to decide whether the remarks meet the legal threshold for a prosecutable threat. No charges have been filed at this stage. The Secret Service and local authorities typically keep quiet about active investigative steps, and any decision on filing a case would come only after the review is complete and prosecutors have weighed the evidence. The New York Post and other outlets continue to track official statements as the inquiry unfolds.
