The acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), Michelle King, has stepped down following an attempt by Elon Musk’s team to access sensitive personal data of millions of Americans.
According to sources, Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency has been working within various government agencies to obtain private data, allegedly to combat fraud and waste.
The Reason Behind the Resignation
Michelle King’s sudden departure is the latest instance of a high-ranking government official stepping down rather than granting Musk’s team access to classified information.
The team has been involved with multiple federal agencies, including the SSA, as part of what it describes as a mission to eliminate inefficiencies in government operations.
The SSA is responsible for distributing Social Security payments, which total about $1.5 trillion annually.
Former President Donald Trump has pledged to protect retirement benefits but has also expressed interest in reducing improper or wasteful spending within the system.
The Scope of Improper Payments
A report from the SSA’s inspector general found that between 2015 and 2022, the agency paid out nearly $8.6 trillion in benefits.
Of this, approximately $71.8 billion—less than 1%—was considered improper payments, often due to recipients receiving more money than they should have.
Musk’s team sought access to a critical SSA database that contains personal and financial information of millions of Americans, including employment details and home addresses.
Two sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that this database also holds comprehensive medical records of disability applicants, bank details, earnings history, and family information.
Privacy Concerns Over Musk’s Access Requests
Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, a group advocating for the expansion of Social Security, raised alarms over the potential consequences of Musk’s team gaining access to such data.
“There is no way to overstate how serious a breach this is,” she said.
Access to this information is typically restricted due to privacy concerns. It remains unclear how many of Musk’s associates attempted to access the data, whether they succeeded, or if they held official positions within the SSA.
Leadership Changes at the SSA
Michelle King, who had been with the SSA since 1994, took over as acting commissioner in January. She previously held senior positions, including chief financial officer and deputy commissioner for operations.
Following her resignation, King declined to comment on her decision.
Her role has now been taken over by Leland Dudek, a longtime SSA official who previously led the agency’s anti-fraud office.
Sources report that Dudek had been supportive of Musk’s team and their efforts. Before assuming his new position, he had posted positive remarks about Musk’s initiative on LinkedIn, but his account has since been deleted.
The SSA is still awaiting the confirmation of Frank Bisignano, a financial technology executive, and Trump’s nominee to oversee the agency.
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields stated that Bisignano is expected to be confirmed soon. Until then, Dudek will serve as acting commissioner.
Musk’s Team Expands Its Reach
Beyond the SSA, Musk’s team has also attempted to access sensitive data from other agencies, including the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The White House recently confirmed that Musk’s team is in the process of gaining access to taxpayer information from the IRS.
In a related incident in January, David Lebryk, a career civil servant at the Treasury Department, was removed from his position after resisting Musk’s team’s request for access to the government’s extensive payment system at the Bureau of the Fiscal Service.
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Musk’s Claims About Social Security Fraud
At a recent White House briefing, Musk claimed that his team had already found evidence of fraud within the SSA.
He alleged that some recipients listed in the system were recorded as being 150 years old and were still receiving benefits.
On X (formerly Twitter), Musk shared an image that he claimed was from an SSA database, suggesting that deceased individuals were still collecting payments.
However, Martin O’Malley, a former Social Security commissioner under the Biden administration, strongly denied Musk’s claims.
“They’re just making things up,” O’Malley said, dismissing the suggestion that over a million people in the SSA database were between 150 and 159 years old.
O’Malley also praised Michelle King, calling her a “consummate civil servant” who dedicated her career to public service.
What’s Next for the SSA?
With Musk’s team continuing its efforts to access government databases, concerns over privacy and security remain at the forefront.
While some officials support Musk’s initiative to reduce inefficiencies, others fear the risks associated with granting a private team access to sensitive government records.
For now, the SSA will be led by Leland Dudek as the agency awaits the Senate’s confirmation of Frank Bisignano.
The ongoing debate over data privacy, government transparency, and Musk’s influence in federal agencies is expected to continue in the coming months.
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