WASHINGTON (AP) – The acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), Michelle King, has stepped down from her position due to requests from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for access to sensitive Social Security recipient information. This departure, which took place over the weekend, marks the end of King's more than 30 years of service in the agency. According to insiders, her resignation was prompted by her refusal to grant DOGE officials access to private taxpayer data.
Upon King's exit, the White House announced the appointment of Leland Dudek, a current employee at the SSA, as the acting commissioner. White House spokesperson Harrison Fields confirmed that President Trump has nominated Frank Bisignano to head the SSA officially, expecting a swift confirmation in the coming weeks. Fields emphasized the President's commitment to appointing qualified individuals dedicated to serving the American public rather than catering to the existing bureaucracy that has faced criticism for its inefficiencies.
King's resignation is among various high-profile departures expressing concerns about the potential illicit access to private taxpayer data by DOGE staffers. In recent actions, DOGE has gained access to Treasury payment systems and is seeking to access databases from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Since Donald Trump's return to the White House, his advisor Elon Musk has been deeply involved in federal agencies, with little public oversight concerning his activities within the DOGE initiative.
Nancy Altman, the president of Social Security Works, an organization advocating for the preservation of Social Security benefits, highlighted the severe implications of DOGE’s efforts, calling it a potential breach of sensitive information. She noted that the data held by the SSA is highly confidential, encompassing personal details on almost all Americans who possess Social Security numbers, and includes information about Medicare recipients and low-income individuals who participate in Supplemental Security Income, a means-tested program.
Altman warned that if there is a malicious intent to target individuals perceived as enemies, there are risks involved in manipulating SSA records. Such actions could distort earnings histories, thereby thwarting individuals’ chances to receive the Social Security and Medicare benefits they have rightfully earned throughout their working lives.
The future of the Social Security program has gained prominence as a political issue, becoming a contentious topic in the lead-up to the 2024 election. Currently, approximately 72.5 million individuals, including retirees, disabled persons, and children, rely on Social Security benefits, underscoring the program's significance in American society and the potential consequences of bureaucratic mishandling of sensitive information.
