“Former acting Social Security Commissioner Michelle King did the right thing by standing up to Elon Musk’s DOGE squad. Her resignation from SSA after more than 30 years of service was an act of integrity in defense of all Social Security beneficiaries, whose most personal data is at risk from Musk’s untrustworthy operation. We do not know precisely what data the DOGE team requested (reportedly leading to King’s resignation), but it likely was at a deeper level than Social Security numbers and birthdates. It’s possible that Musk’s team was trying to get their hands on even more sensitive data (including medical records, earnings history, family details) that is used to determine Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
There is no justifiable reason for Musk and DOGE to have access to Americans’ deeply personal information, and his team lacks the qualifications to assess this data in any constructive way. The DOGE squad are not public servants and they do not have the public’s best interests at heart. Musk’s hunt for ‘fraud’ at SSA is an excuse to meddle in a program that provides some 70 million Americans with basic financial security. His claims of systemic fraud at SSA already have been widely discredited. Social Security is not a playground for Musk and his unqualified minions (who do not understand how Social Security works) to run amok.
Seniors, people with disabilities, and Americans everywhere of good conscience should be on high alert. When a dedicated public servant resigns after more than 30 years due to the intrusive activities of Elon Musk and DOGE, that truly is a ‘canary in a coal mine’ moment. The stakes are incredibly high because of the potential abuse of Americans’ personal data — and the very real risk that by monkeying with the Social Security system, Musk and DOGE just might break it.” – Max Richtman, President & CEO, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
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Media inquiries:
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