Federal employees in West Virginia who voted for President Donald Trump are feeling the pain after several were laid off due to job cuts at Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
One video went viral of Jennifer Piggott, a once-proud Trump supporter who had a Trump flag on her porch, saying she feels betrayed by the Republican president after losing her civil service job in February 2025.
She was one of over 125 employees fired by the Treasury Department’s Bureau of Fiscal Service in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Piggott claims in conversations with others that she “knew it was coming,” but she had no idea. “There’s always that back and forth conversation now like ‘you knew this was coming,’ but we didn’t,” says Piggott.
“Nobody that I’ve talked to understood the devastation that having this administration in office would do to our lives.”
The Mountain State was one of Trump’s most significant victories in the 2024 presidential election, receiving more than 70% of the vote in November. One of the states that most strongly supported him is now questioning his plans.
“As much as I think President Trump is doing wonderful things for the country in some ways, I don’t understand this at all,” said Piggott, who was recently promoted after five years at her job.
Her new position made her a target for the Trump administration, which sought to eliminate thousands of probationary federal workers, including new hires and existing employees transitioning from one role to another, according to Reuters.
Comments on social media blamed Piggott and other supporters. @cheers2winecom stated on X that they are only complaining because it affects them. “Everyone reacts when they are personally affected!” he wrote in a note.
Another video viewer claimed to have no sympathy for the demographic, saying, “Next time, use your brain.” At the same time, @michaelt1250 believes supporters are upset because they assumed the indicted businessman’s policies would only impact people of color. “So sad !!! They thought Trump would only cheat and rob black and brown people,” the social media user wrote.
Following the federal job cuts, workers were seen protesting in front of the Fiscal Service buildings in downtown Parkersburg in collaboration with the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia.
Executive Director Eli Baumwell said the protests are more so about DOGE being an unsanctioned agency with no right to track the government’s finances. Baumwell also highlighted a government pattern of “creating agencies for appropriating funds.”
Elected officials like Wood County Democratic Party Chair Jeff Fox feel the same way . Fox told WTAP that he shares the same concerns as the people of West Virginia. “We’re just concerned about the possible cutting of jobs and laying off of people,” he said.
“Our area’s economy has been struggling for 60 years. We’re in a very precipitous spot.”
