Republicans face backlash over Doge job cuts in Utah

Republican politicians are facing backlash over job cuts made by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). In Ogden, Utah, many federal employees were shocked when dozens of them were laid off without warning. They turned to their Republican congressman, Blake Moore, for help. Moore represents a district that strongly backed Donald Trump in the last election. Locals are worried about how these cuts impact their economy. Employees like Torrie and Jeremy, have worked at the IRS for years. They expressed frustration over the lack of communication and the abruptness of the layoffs. The situation is not unique to Utah. Other Republican districts across the country have seen similar cuts. Politicians are trying to balance their support for Musk's cost-cutting goals while addressing the anger of their constituents. Moore recently acknowledged that he felt “frustrated” with the way cuts were handled. Representatives like Tom Cole from Oklahoma have been vocal about their concerns, while still supporting some of Musk's initiatives. He emphasized the need to find waste in government but also insisted on looking out for his constituents' needs. Despite the backlash, no Republican has publicly taken a strong stance against Musk. Many constituents still support Doge’s objectives, with a recent poll showing that many Americans believe there is waste in government. In Ogden, federal workers gathered to protest the layoffs. They are facing additional potential job cuts by May that could greatly affect the local economy. The IRS in Ogden employs about 8,000 people, making up a significant part of the local workforce. Some locals, like veteran Rick, acknowledge the need for government reform but criticize the way Doge has executed the cuts. Meanwhile, federal courts have ordered rehiring for some laid-off employees, but there are still fears about more cuts coming down the line. Employees are now looking to Congress for support.