Michelle King, the Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), has stepped down from her role, a Trump administration official confirmed to CBS News.
King was replaced by Leland Dudek, who previously led the SSA’s fraud investigation office. Shortly after this leadership change, King resigned from the agency.
The White House has since announced that President Donald Trump has nominated Frank Bisignano as the next SSA Commissioner, pending Senate confirmation. In the meantime, Dudek will serve as Acting Commissioner.
Why Did King Step Down?
The White House did not provide a reason for King’s departure, but reports suggest it may be tied to concerns over data security and access.
According to Nancy Altman, President of the advocacy group Social Security Works, SSA employees reported that officials from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) had been pressuring King to grant access to the Enterprise Data Warehouse—a secure database containing:
- Social Security beneficiary records
- Earnings history
- Medicare data
- Low-income assistance records
Altman claims King resisted these demands, which may have led to her removal. “She was standing in the way, and they moved her out of the way,” Altman told CBS News.
Concerns Over Data Access
Reports indicate that DOGE officials have already accessed Treasury payment systems and are attempting to gain access to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) databases.
Altman warned the Associated Press that if DOGE gains access to SSA data, it could pose a severe risk to millions of Americans.
“If there is an evil intent to punish perceived enemies, someone could erase your earnings record, making it impossible to collect the Social Security and Medicare benefits you have earned.”
The Washington Post first reported on King’s departure, highlighting that other high-ranking officials have also resigned in recent weeks due to concerns over DOGE’s access to taxpayer information.
What’s Next for Social Security?
The future of Social Security remains a key political issue, especially after the 2024 election. The program currently supports 72.5 million Americans, including:
- Retirees
- Disabled individuals
- Children receiving benefits
With Frank Bisignano awaiting confirmation as the next SSA Commissioner, many are watching closely to see how data security concerns and potential policy shifts will impact Social Security recipients moving forward.
