A healthcare worker who helps patients to breathe has come under fire after he said he was saddened that a shooter did not assassinate Donald Trump when he opened fire on him at a Pennsylvania rally over the weekend.
Thomas O’Donoghue, who has worked as a respiratory therapist in Florida for three decades, wrote online after the shooting: ‘It’s a shame he missed.’
It was uploaded in response to an X post from Donald Trump Jr., the former President’s eldest child, which was branding coverage from CNN a ‘disgrace.’
O’Donoghue quickly faced backlash over his comments, with many urging his employer — Lee Health in Southwest Florida — to terminate his position.
Thomas O’Donoghue posted the comment, revealed by Libs of TikTok, in response to a tweet from the former President’s eldest son
O’Donoghue quickly faced backlash over his comments, with many urging his employer — Lee Health in South-West Florida — to terminate his position.
One individual wrote on X: ‘He’s in a position to determine whether people live or die and that makes me very, very angry that he’s this willing to air this view.’
A second added: ‘Hey Lee Health, does your employee Thomas O’Donoghue treat conservative patients differently?’
And a third person said: ‘I live in Southwest Florida and Lee Health is my main provider. Don’t know if I feel safe being treated there with this kind of hateful person as one of their employees.’
Mr O’Donoghue’s comment comes amid a wave of investigations into dozens of people — from teachers to a nurse, a firefighter and a county worker — who have made similar comments following the attack on the former president.
The comments have been revealed by Libs of TikTok.
DailyMail.com also revealed today a nurse in New York City and pharmacy worker in Texas had both been fired after their comments were revealed online.
Nurse Janiece Binns lost her job earlier today after her posts online implying she was upset the shooter missed were revealed
On his LinkedIn, Mr O’Donoghue says he has worked for Lee Memorial Health System for three decades — providing patients with care.
Respiratory therapists work under the direction of doctors to administer oxygen, manage ventilators and administer drugs for the lungs to a variety of patients.
These can include premature infants whose lungs are not developed properly and elderly people with lung disease.
There are about 130,000 respiratory therapists in the US, who are all required to treat patients impartially — or with no difference based on sex, ethnicity or other factors.
The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) — which represents the industry — says in its code of conduct that respiratory therapists must: ‘Provide care without discrimination on any basis, with respect for the rights and dignity of all individuals.’
Mr O’Donoghue’s comments were first revealed by right-wing X account Libs of TikTok, which said his employer should take swift action.
He has since deleted the comments and his X account.
Lee Health and Mr O’Donoghue could not be reached for comment.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk