Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
Michelle King, the top official at the Social Security Administration (SSA), has stepped down from her role after refusing a request from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to access sensitive government records, according to sources familiar with the situation.
A White House spokesperson confirmed King’s departure and announced that President Donald Trump has nominated banking executive Frank Bisignano as her replacement, pending Senate confirmation.
In the interim, Leland Dudek, a career official from Social Security’s anti-fraud office, has been appointed as acting commissioner.
What Led to King’s Departure?
King, a longtime SSA official, reportedly resisted DOGE’s request to access a vast array of personal data, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Americans’ bank information
- Earnings records
- Marital statuses
- Dates of birth
- Medical records for those applying for disability benefits
Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, said King refused to grant DOGE access to this information, which she believed should remain confidential.
“She was replaced as acting commissioner because she would not give access to the sensitive information,” Altman told NBC News. “So she was replaced with someone who presumably will.”
While King was not forced out of the agency entirely, the White House decided she would no longer serve as commissioner, leading to her decision to retire.
White House: Investigating ‘Widespread Fraud’ at SSA
The White House defended its efforts, arguing that fraud at the SSA is a major concern. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that President Trump directed Elon Musk and DOGE to “identify fraud at the Social Security Administration,” though she acknowledged the agency had not yet “dug into the books.”
However, SSA’s own inspector general found that from 2015 to 2022, improper benefit payments accounted for only 0.84% of total distributions—raising questions about the need for such sweeping investigative access.
DOGE’s Expanding Access to Government Data
This is not the first time DOGE has come under scrutiny for seeking access to sensitive information. Recent reports indicate that:
- A DOGE-affiliated employee at the IRS is attempting to access a system housing confidential taxpayer data.
- DOGE accessed the Treasury Department’s payment system, which contains Social Security numbers and financial records, leading to multiple lawsuits alleging violations of federal privacy laws.
- A federal judge temporarily blocked political appointees and DOGE officials from accessing certain Treasury Department systems.
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that Trump authorized Musk to access disaster relief data housed within FEMA.
These moves have fueled growing concerns about privacy and government oversight under the Trump administration.
What’s Next?
With Frank Bisignano set to take over the SSA, watchdog groups are expected to closely monitor DOGE’s next steps regarding Social Security data. Privacy advocates warn that further attempts to centralize access to sensitive government records could lead to significant legal challenges.
Meanwhile, King’s departure signals an ongoing shakeup in federal agencies as the Trump administration continues efforts to overhaul leadership and streamline government operations under DOGE’s watch.
