MAGA Influencer Jennica Pounds Disclosed as Department of Defense Employee

<figure><img alt="Hegseth" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/BKV7NT74D5GMRCEKC5GIW25NXE.jpg?auth=fa6d33c02537c3e7ba672c10432513d305fd643160fb35d9c100f80bfcd8cd4a&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1818&amp;height=1191" /><figcaption>OCTAVIO JONES / AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p>Jennica Pounds, a MAGA influencer known as DataRepublican, has been identified as an employee of the Department of Defense. This information was not disclosed by Pounds prior to the revelation.</p><p>Until June, Pounds was part of the Pentagon press corps but did not inform her followers about her employment with the Pentagon.</p><p>The disclosure occurred during a conflict on social media where Pounds accused Undersecretary of State Sarah Rogers of attempting to “entrap” her into committing treason.</p><p>Pounds had been discussing a message from Rogers on X, where Rogers provided her access to government documents regarding Cuba, expecting Pounds to publish them as an exclusive. However, Pounds misinterpreted this as an attempt to set her up to leak sensitive information.</p><p>She shared text messages with Rogers that indicated her initial enthusiasm for the story but later expressed distrust.</p><img alt="Pounds released the text messages between herself and Rogers. / @DataRepublican/X" height="680" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/QAF574BGBFBJDM6MMNFZXIPYU4.png?auth=5f3fe1842b531218a298a1e5ffe47bbddfb49a75ab1eb433006a3c3e6f1483b1&amp;smart=true&amp;width=667&amp;height=680" width="667" /><p>Pounds later claimed that Rogers was attempting to set her up to commit a crime, stating, “It’s not okay when the Deep State sets you up to commit a crime,” in a now-deleted post.</p><p>Rogers responded to the allegations by clarifying that the documents were sent in compliance with FOIA regulations and offered to disclose them herself to demonstrate transparency.</p><img alt="Sara Rogers, who sent Pounds the documents, works for the State Department. / SLBRUKBACHER FPC STATE DEPT / Department of State" height="1067" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/62G5TUFBZZBATN7HORMJMTZAY4.jpg?auth=0b4da012e8adff203be62addbb7b5df95a423e418e2899e2a8441b268d46bace&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1600&amp;height=1067" width="1600" /><p>Following the exchange, the MAGA outlet AF Post reported on Pounds' employment, stating, “Jennica Pounds, aka Data Republican, a Department of War employee,” which was later confirmed by the Department of Defense.</p><p>Pounds defended her position in a subsequent post, explaining that she began working as a Special Government Employee for the Department of War in July to serve the country more directly. She clarified that she is no longer part of the Pentagon Press Corps and does not attend briefings or events as a journalist.</p><img alt="@DataRepublican/X" height="832" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/5MRGOXIXXFGWRDCBFAQDJMKQRU.png?auth=f52dc11c53d749da7bf015f643d939383f40f374e7b51f9891d376835745149e&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1174&amp;height=832" width="1174" /><p>During the dispute, an account believed to be managed by Pounds’ mother defended her daughter while criticizing Rogers, suggesting that Rogers should resign. This post was later deleted, and the mother subsequently apologized to Rogers.</p><p><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/maga-influencer-jennica-pounds-behind-deep-state-conspiracy-theory-works-for-the-pentagon/">Read more at The Daily Beast.</a></p>