Michelle King, the top official at the Social Security Administration, resigned after refusing a request from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to access sensitive government data at the agency. She was replaced by Frank Bisignano, who is expected to be confirmed soon. The White House spokesperson confirmed King’s departure but emphasized Trump’s commitment to appointing qualified individuals. Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, revealed that the dispute involved sensitive personal data, including bank information and medical records. Altman criticized DOGE’s request, calling it a serious breach of privacy.
Leland Dudek, a Social Security anti-fraud manager, has been appointed as acting commissioner following King’s departure. DOGE has also faced criticism for attempting to access confidential taxpayer information at the IRS and Treasury Department, leading to lawsuits and restrictions on access. In response to these actions, a judge temporarily blocked DOGE employees from accessing sensitive data stored within the treasury. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Trump authorized Musk to access disaster data housed within FEMA.
King’s retirement is the latest in a series of exits by senior officials targeted by DOGE. The agency manages payments for over 70 million Americans, and Trump has pledged not to cut retirement benefits. Despite concerns raised by Altman and others, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended DOGE’s efforts to identify fraud within the Social Security Administration. The controversy underscores ongoing debates about privacy, government transparency, and the limits of executive authority.
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