Acting Commissioner Michelle King of the Social Security Administration has resigned from her position following requests from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to access sensitive information of Social Security recipients. King, who served the agency for over 30 years, stepped down after refusing to provide DOGE staffers with the requested access.
The White House has appointed Leland Dudek, a current SSA employee, as the new acting commissioner in place of King. President Trump has nominated Frank Bisignano to lead the SSA permanently, with expectations of a swift confirmation process. In the interim, a career Social Security anti-fraud expert will oversee the agency.
Concerns have been raised about DOGE's attempts to access private taxpayer information, including Treasury payment systems and Internal Revenue Service databases. The involvement of billionaire adviser Elon Musk in federal agencies through DOGE has drawn attention, with some high-ranking officials expressing unease about potential breaches of privacy.
Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, highlighting the sensitivity of the data held by the SSA. She warned that malicious intent could lead to the erasure of earnings records, jeopardizing individuals' ability to access Social Security and Medicare benefits.
The future of Social Security has emerged as a prominent political issue, particularly during the 2024 election. Approximately 72.5 million beneficiaries, including retirees, disabled individuals, and children, rely on Social Security benefits for financial support.
