Michelle King, until recently the chief officer of the United States Social Security Administration (SSA), resigned from her position following a disagreement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) regarding access to confidential information.
According to sources close to the case, King refused to provide sensitive data to the agency led by Elon Musk, which led to his departure. White House spokesman, Harrison Fields, confirmed King’s resignation and announced that Leland Dudek, a veteran expert in fighting Social Security fraud, will assume the position of interim commissioner.
Social Security Official Resigns Over Disagreements with DOGE
After King’s resignation, President Donald Trump nominated Frank Bisignano to permanently lead the SSA. The conflict between King and DOGE arose after the latter requested access to government records that included banking information, Social Security numbers, income, marital statuses, and, in some cases, medical data of U.S. citizens.
King’s refusal to share this data led to his replacement, although his resignation was a personal decision, according to analyst Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works. This incident has raised concerns about the privacy of data stored by the SSA.
Altman warned about the seriousness of the situation and highlighted that Americans trust the government to protect their personal information. The controversy adds to a series of events in which DOGE has attempted to access confidential data, including records from the “Servicio de Impuestos Internos (IRS)” and the payment system of the “Departamento del Tesoro.”
The Department of Government Efficiency is Enveloped in Controversy
For its part, the Trump administration has defended DOGE’s efforts, arguing that their goal is to combat fraud in Social Security. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted in an interview with Fox News that Musk’s team suspects that millions of deceased individuals are receiving improper payments, although they have not yet thoroughly investigated the financial records.
King’s resignation adds to the departure of other high-ranking officials who have expressed concern over the growing interference of DOGE in government agencies. Meanwhile, access to confidential information by Musk’s team remains a topic of legal and political debate in the United States.