WASHINGTON, D.C. – Despite repeated promises from President Donald Trump that Social Security would remain untouched, recent actions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Elon Musk suggest otherwise.
In the latest wave of federal downsizing, DOGE has begun targeting the Social Security Administration (SSA), initiating job cuts, closing offices, and appointing controversial figures to leadership roles—all of which could have dire consequences for millions of Americans who rely on these services.
Trump’s assurance that Social Security benefits would remain protected seems increasingly hollow as the administration proceeds with measures that disproportionately affect the elderly, disabled, and economically vulnerable.
What’s Happening at the Social Security Administration?
While Trump publicly pledged to protect Social Security benefits, DOGE has:
- Eliminated 41 jobs at the SSA.
- Begun closing at least 10 local offices across the U.S., including locations in rural West Virginia, Las Vegas, and White Plains, New York.
- Installed DOGE operatives in top SSA positions, including an engineer linked to controversial ideologies and executives with a “cut-first-fix-later” approach.
Although Trump claims these cuts are aimed at rooting out fraud, many experts argue that they will primarily harm:
- Elderly citizens relying on Social Security benefits.
- Disabled individuals who need in-person assistance to navigate complicated application processes.
- Children who depend on benefits due to the death of a parent.
Who Will Be Most Affected by the Cuts?
The Social Security Administration’s services go far beyond retirement benefits. They provide vital assistance for:
- People with disabilities through Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
- Survivors (widows, widowers, and orphans) who rely on benefits after the death of a family member.
- Seniors enrolling in Medicare, as SSA offices serve as key access points for these applications.
Cutting jobs and closing field offices means that:
- Beneficiaries in rural areas could be forced to travel hundreds of miles for assistance.
- People with low digital literacy or without internet access will struggle to apply for or manage their benefits.
- Appeals for denied benefits could take even longer due to staff cuts, worsening an already massive backlog in disability hearings.
“It would be a nightmare for all of us,” said Bryan Dooley, a North Carolina resident with cerebral palsy, who fears losing access to local SSA services necessary to maintain his independence.
The Role of Elon Musk’s DOGE in Social Security Cuts
Musk has taken a hands-on approach to overseeing DOGE’s cuts across federal agencies. His influence at the SSA includes:
- Promoting unsubstantiated claims that “150-year-old vampires” are receiving Social Security payments, an apparent effort to justify sweeping cuts under the guise of combating fraud.
- Installing leadership figures like Leland Dudek, who admitted to feeding inside information to DOGE and bypassing SSA’s chain of command.
- Proposing the outsourcing of SSA call center jobs, potentially leading to further service delays and increased confusion for beneficiaries.
While Musk claims these measures target inefficiencies, critics argue that the focus on cost-cutting is undermining the ability of the SSA to serve those who need it most.
Political and Legal Backlash Grows
Despite their earlier support for DOGE, some Republicans are beginning to express concern:
- Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) warned that DOGE’s actions represent executive overreach and threaten essential government services.
- New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand raised alarms about office closures like the one in White Plains, NY, which currently handles over 2,000 pending cases and serves beneficiaries across seven counties.
State officials are also raising the alarm:
- In California, budget officers fear that cuts to federal funding will jeopardize the state’s ability to provide essential social services.
- Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has requested more input from states regarding DOGE’s cuts, advocating for block grants to allow states greater control over federal funds.
The Impact on SSA Employees and Services
DOGE’s actions are already lowering morale at the SSA, which was previously ranked among the most overworked agencies in the federal government.
- Employees in policy and legal roles—including those who help write decisions on disability cases—have been notified that their positions are not considered “mission critical” and could soon be eliminated.
- Regional staff, who help resolve complex issues for low-income beneficiaries, are also at risk as DOGE considers further downsizing.
“The number of Social Security recipients has grown by over 13 million since 2010, but staffing levels have been steadily shrinking,” said Martin O’Malley, a former SSA commissioner. “These cuts will break the system over time.”
