'MAGA junkie' speaks out on her opinion of Trump now after being fired from federal job amid DOGE layoffs
A resident of West Virginia who previously displayed a Trump-Vance flag at her home has revealed her changed views about the president after she lost her government position. Jennifer Piggott worked at the Treasury Department's Bureau of Fiscal Service under Trump's administration until last month, openly showing her backing for Trump in the 2024 election.
Piggott became one of 125 probationary staff members dismissed from the bureau as part of Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. This initiative aims to shrink federal employment and stop what they consider wasteful spending of taxpayer funds.
During a CNN interview, Piggott described herself as a former "MAGA junkie" who wore Trump-Vance clothing and flew their flag. She has since removed the flag from her property.
Recalling her job loss, Piggott stated: "I cried. It's scary. It's a really scary thing and I was embarrassed." She expressed confusion about being terminated for supposedly "poor performance," despite receiving "the highest rating you can get" on an evaluation less than 21 days before her dismissal.
When asked if she regretted voting for Trump, Piggott replied: "Yes I do. To cut the knees of the working class Americans just doesn't make sense to me. I expected more from President Donald Trump."
She also noted receiving "death threats" after expressing her changed opinion. Other West Virginia voters chose to remain unnamed when sharing their thoughts to avoid similar harassment.
Another Trump voter, who left the Bureau of Fiscal Service fearing loss of health insurance if fired, supported "balancing budget" but opposed the "way that it's been done," adding, "It's just not right."
Speaking to Reuters, Piggott mentioned that nobody she talked to "understood the devastation that having this administration in office would do to our lives." She added, "As much as I think that President Trump is doing wonderful things for the country in some regards, I don't understand this at all."
These voters' statements come as The New York Times reported at least 49,110 federal employees have lost their jobs during Trump's cutbacks, though many have been temporarily reinstated through court orders.
Federal job cuts continue to expand across government agencies, with a March 28 report showing reductions might impact at least 12 percent of the 2.4 million civilian federal workers. The staff reductions show no signs of slowing down as federal departments receive instructions to decrease their personnel numbers even more.
