Trump Voter Sees 'Devastation' in DOGE Cuts
X Æ A-Xii, Elon Musk and Donald Trump in the Oval Office, 2025. Official White House photo by Daniel Torok. Public domain.
The Department of Government Efficiency — better known as DOGE — has been subject to controversy from the very start. Created by executive order on President Trump's first day back in office and led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, DOGE seeks to "streamline" the federal government. If there's one thing most Americans agree on, it's that creating more efficiency in government is a good thing. But what does that really mean? And could what DOGE does cause more harm than it solves or is it just what America needs?
The Big Picture: What DOGE Has Cut So Far
DOGE's main focus has been implementing sweeping cuts across nearly every federal department in an aim to curb government spending. According to the Treasury Department, the federal government has spent over $3 trillion in the fiscal year 2025, representing an increase of $355 billion from the same period last year.
Proponents of reducing government waste see DOGE as efficiently reining in such staggering numbers and giving back to taxpayers. In an opinion piece for The Hill, Liberty Vittert argues that the roughly $65 billion DOGE has saved so far is enough to "cut a $450 check to every taxpayer every year."
At the same time, the cuts have translated into a real-world effect: federal workers across dozens of agencies — including Social Security, IRS, NIH, CDC, FEMA, and USAID — have been dismissed or offered buyouts. Nearly 300,000 workers have been impacted, including probationary employees and those accepting early exit deals.
Critics of DOGE warn of a potential loss in essential services as a result. In Parkersburg, West Virginia, home to the Treasury Department's Bureau of Fiscal Service, more than 125 people were let go in February alone. These cuts may result in delays in revenue collection and fund disbursement.
More than that, the cuts represent a loss of livelihood for numerous families in a strongly Republican area. One longtime federal worker and Trump voter, Jennifer Piggott, was laid off as a result of the DOGE cuts. She shared that she had received no severance, and she and her husband were discussing selling their house to make ends meet.
Piggott told Reuters, "Nobody that I've talked to understood the devastation that having this administration in office would do to our lives. 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."
From Budget Cuts to Daily Life Disruptions
Beyond individual job losses, the consequences of DOGE's cuts are starting to ripple outward in ways you may not see — until you feel them.
In some cases, it's about delays: Tax refunds that might now arrive months later. In others, it's about disappearing services entirely — like canceled federal education programs or gutting the National Weather Service.
And then there's disease. At a recent Cabinet meeting, Musk admitted DOGE "accidentally canceled very briefly" Ebola-prevention efforts, according to MSN. That statement drew some nervous laughter — but it wasn't a joke.
Elon Musk and Donald Trump in the Oval Office, 2025. Official White House photo by Daniel Torok. Public domain.
USAID, which previously coordinated critical outbreak prevention abroad, has been all but dismantled. In prior Ebola outbreaks, USAID played a frontline role — training local health workers, building treatment centers, and screening travelers. But when a new Ebola outbreak was reported in Uganda this year, the agency's foreign-aid freeze meant those protocols were no longer in place.
That wasn't the only line of defense that faltered. The CDC has also seen steep cuts, with 750 staff laid off — 180 of whom were later reinstated, but gaps remain. Routine communications like the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report were briefly paused for the first time in 60 years.
Even flu vaccines have been affected. The FDA canceled its expert advisory meeting on the next season's flu vaccine formula, leaving America to rely solely on the World Health Organization — an organization from which Trump has moved to withdraw.
The implications are alarming: fewer disease monitors, weaker surveillance, and slower outbreak responses mean the risk of new infectious threats reaching U.S. soil increases dramatically.
Could These Cuts Come Back to Haunt the US?
While the DOGE program polls well among voters who support smaller government, history suggests that large-scale service failures — whether in public health or economic security — can rapidly erode public trust. The Bush administration's handling of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the Obama administration's struggle with HealthCare.gov demonstrate how quickly loss of trust can cause serious headaches. The Trump-Musk administration now faces a similar risk if DOGE cuts trigger real-world disasters.
Even the economists warning of these risks say the full impact might not show up until disaster strikes — including if Social Security payments stall, a new outbreak spreads unchecked, or a foodborne illness kills hundreds due to FDA staff shortages.
A Nation at a Crossroads
Supporters of DOGE believe in cutting waste and reducing bureaucracy. Additionally, while she does acknowledge the real pain suffered by the cut federal works, Liberty Vittert of The Hill notes that it's not that different from when workers in other industries are cut due to regulations or when factories close.
Critics fear that by slashing so deeply, the country may have thrown out programs that quietly kept it safe, stable, and secure. If disease outbreaks worsen or essential services falter, the backlash could be swift — and bipartisan.
The Department of Government Efficiency promised a leaner, smarter government. But for many Americans, it's not just lean — it's starting to feel hollowed out.
References: The Diseases Are Coming | DOGE job cuts bring pain to Trump heartland | How DOGE cutbacks could create a major backlash | Elon Musk's DOGE has worked quickly to cut federal agencies. Here's a list of what's been targeted so far. | How the Trump and DOGE terminations — perhaps the biggest job cuts in history — may affect the economy | How much has the U.S. government spent this year? | Poll: Musk's DOGE approval rating revealed | Why DOGE is and will remain popular, even if its cuts are small
