WASHINGTON (AP) — The acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration has tendered her resignation following a series of mysterious events surrounding a data breach within the agency. The departure of Acting Commissioner Michelle King, who has dedicated over 30 years of service to the agency, came after she refused to comply with requests from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to access sensitive information related to Social Security recipients. This information was revealed by sources familiar with the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. The departure took place over the weekend, with the White House swiftly appointing Leland Dudek as the new acting commissioner in place of King.
A statement released by White House spokesperson Harrison Fields on Monday night announced that President Trump has nominated Frank Bisignano to lead the Social Security Administration, pending swift confirmation in the coming weeks. In the interim, a career Social Security anti-fraud expert will lead the agency. Fields emphasized the administration’s commitment to appointing qualified individuals dedicated to serving the American people rather than catering to bureaucratic interests.
King’s resignation is just one in a series of high-ranking officials stepping down due to concerns over DOGE’s potentially unauthorized access to private taxpayer information. The department has reportedly gained entry into Treasury payment systems and is seeking access to Internal Revenue Service databases. Since President Trump’s return to office, influential advisor Elon Musk has been heavily involved in federal agencies through the DOGE group, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, has expressed grave concerns over the breach, highlighting the sensitivity of the information held by the Social Security Administration. She warned of the potential consequences, such as tampering with individuals’ earnings records, which could jeopardize their entitlement to Social Security and Medicare benefits. Altman stressed the urgent need to address these security breaches to safeguard the privacy and well-being of millions of Americans relying on Social Security benefits.
The future of Social Security has emerged as a key political issue, with the 2024 election witnessing heated debates on the topic. Approximately 72.5 million individuals, including retirees, disabled persons, and children, depend on Social Security benefits for their financial security.
