The Social Security Administration (SSA) is facing mounting scrutiny after a lawsuit was filed by labor unions seeking to block Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Americans’ sensitive personal data. According to the Washington Post, the legal challenge includes testimony from Tiffany Flick, a former senior SSA official, who warned in court filings that DOGE’s interference poses a serious threat to the security of data belonging to millions of people. Flick, who resigned her post at SSA after three decades, cited these actions as part of broader concerns over mismanagement and policy risk brought on by interference in the agency by Trump, Musk, and DOGE.
“DOGE’s requests were unprecedented and reckless,” Flick stated in her affidavit. “They demanded immediate access to taxpayer data without completing standard security checks or following any established protocols. Ignoring these safeguards is more than just careless; it’s a direct threat to the privacy of millions of Americans.”
Tiffany Flick resigned her job as acting chief of staff at SSA at the same time as acting commissioner Michelle King quit in protest of DOGE’s requests for sensitive data. A former long-time SSA staffer who did not wish his name to be used in this article, says, “Flick’s principled approach, along with former acting commissioner Michelle King, shows courage and professionalism in the face of illegal and inappropriate access requests. She and Ms. King were quite brave and paid the ultimate price to adhere to the rule of law.”
What Drove Her to Leave?
Flick’s resignation stemmed from repeated attempts by DOGE to gain unauthorized access to critical databases containing highly sensitive taxpayer information. These databases were safeguarded under strict protocols designed to ensure privacy and data security. When DOGE sought to bypass these safeguards, Flick and King pushed back, risking their careers for what they believed to be the right course of action.
The methods employed by DOGE were described by Flick as “unorthodox and alarming,” undermining established security procedures. The risks were too great for her to ignore, and rather than compromise the values she had built her career upon, Flick chose to step away. “It became clear that the safety and trust SSA relies on were deliberately being disregarded,” she noted in her affidavit.
An Agency Facing Growing Challenges
Since Flick’s departure, reports indicate that DOGE’s interference has only intensified. Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek has announced plans for radical downsizing (at an agency where staffing already is at a 50-year low), including firings, coerced early retirement, and the closure of field offices that service the public. Seniors’ advocates warn that these decisions could jeopardize the agency’s ability to serve its beneficiaries effectively, particularly those who rely on in-person assistance.
Adding to these difficulties, many of Dudek’s decisions appear to be heavily influenced by DOGE. According to the Post, he admitted to advocacy groups that Musk and his team are “calling the shots” at SSA. This external interference has raised serious questions about the agency’s ability to operate independently and properly serve its 73 million customers.
“This is about more than just internal disputes,” Flick declared in her affidavit. “It’s about whether the SSA can remain a trusted institution, or whether it becomes a tool for external agendas that put the public at risk.”
A Warning About the Risks
According to Maria Freese, senior Social Security expert at the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM), the ongoing interference and mismanagement represent a profound threat.
“What billionaire Elon Musk does not seem to understand is that accessing federal records is not a game. Security procedures are in place for a reason – the Social Security Administration collects Americans’ most personal and private information including Social Security numbers, banking information, work histories and in many cases, troves of personal medical records. The American people share this information with SSA because they have been assured that the government employees who have access to it have gone through rigorous screening to ensure they can be trusted.” – Maria Freese, NCPSSM senior legislative representative, 3/9/25
Musk claims all these employees have ‘security clearances,’ but Flick’s affidavit shines a bright light on the perfunctory process the DOGE staffers underwent before being cleared. “The process was clearly a ‘security clearance’ in name only – under intense pressure from Musk to approve his acolytes quickly – with little attention to whether they truly could be trusted to safely handle our personal information,” says Freese.
Freese emphasizes that any diminishment of the SSA’s ability to protect this information not only risks significant harm to individuals but also damages the trust that is fundamental to public support of Social Security. Compromising the system, she warns, is a direct threat to beneficiaries.
The Importance of Stability at SSA
Social Security serves as a vital safety net for retirees, disabled individuals, and families who rely on survivor benefits. Disruptions to this system could have devastating consequences for millions of Americans who depend on their earned benefits for financial Security. Former SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley warned that Musk and DOGE’s meddling in SSA could damage the system and result in missed payments “within 30 to 90 days.”
Tiffany Flick’s decision to speak out serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity and courage when public trust is at stake. “The SSA’s mission is not a commodity to be traded for political convenience,” Flick stated in her affidavit. “It’s a promise, one that must be defended for the sake of Americans today and for generations to come.”
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