Michelle King, the acting boss of the Social Security Administration (SSA), quit over the weekend after Elon Musk’s team, known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), asked for sensitive data about American citizens.
King, who worked at the SSA for over 30 years, refused to give this information, which include important private details about people. Her decision came amid growing concerns about how Musk and his team are trying to access secret information from various government agencies.
Following King’s resignation, the White House named Leland Dudek as the new acting commissioner. He is already part of the SSA. The White House also announced that President Trump has nominated Frank Bisignano as the new head of the SSA, expecting his confirmation soon.
Concerns are rising about privacy, as DOGE is also seeking access to taxpayer data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If they succeed, they could get their hands on millions of sensitive records, including taxpayer information and bank details.
Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, a group that protects Social Security benefits, warned that mishandling these private records could be a big issue. She emphasized that the SSA maintains sensitive data for all Americans, which can be dangerous if misused.
Social Security plays a crucial role in the U.S. economy, providing around $1.5 trillion in aid each year to millions of people, including retirees and disabled individuals.
Michelle King had been in charge since January 2025 and held various important roles in the SSA during her career. With the future of Social Security being a hot topic in the upcoming presidential elections, King’s departure raises even more questions about the agency’s direction
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