Wyden, Senate Democrats Demand Answers From Doge-Appointed Acting Head of Social Security
New Reports of DOGE Access to Americans’ Most Sensitive Personal Information and Replacement of Agency Officials Who Sought to Protect Americans’ Privacy
Reports Indicate DOGE Has Access to Social Security’s Data Center, Which Includes Americans’ Bank and Credit Card Information, Work History, Tax Data, Medical Records, Home Address, Children’s Names, and More
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis. and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., demanded answers from the DOGE-appointed acting head of the Social Security Administration regarding the recent turmoil at the agency as DOGE embeds itself and gains access to Americans’ most sensitive personal information.
“We write to express deep concern regarding disturbing reports that the president replaced SSA Acting Commissioner Michelle King for refusing to provide Elon Musk and DOGE access to the agency’s most sensitive data without proper documentation, and that you have provided DOGE unfettered access,” the senators wrote. “Providing access to personally identifiable information on hundreds of millions of Americans stored by SSA to DOGE employees without a legitimate reason, and in apparent disregard for privacy laws, regulations, and procedures, raises serious concerns about the security of that data and what DOGE plans to do with it.”
The letter seeks answers from Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek about DOGE’s activities at SSA, including:
- Whether the Acting Commissioner has disclosed any sensitive personal or financial information to any unauthorized persons outside SSA.
- Whether DOGE has requested or received access to any SSA system that is used in determining eligibility or benefit amount of Social Security or SSI benefits.
- Whether DOGE has gained access to SSA databases that include personally identifiable information, wage or tax information, or personal health information.
- Whether any private or commercial servers been connected or integrated into SSA data systems to review, edit, modify, access, delete, move or otherwise change data.
- What steps are being taken to prevent DOGE from stopping lawful benefit payments or utilizing personally identifiable information for political purposes.
The letter comes as the Trump administration continues to inject chaos into American life by freezing federal funds that have disrupted health care and early childhood education, and laying off thousands of federal workers indiscriminately at the expense of the health and safety of American families.
The letter also debunks blatant falsehoods spread by Musk on social media about Social Security.
“Over the past weekend, Elon Musk repeatedly posted and reposted a false claim that millions of individuals over age 150 are receiving benefits. These claims are so easily disproven, and have been repeatedly, that this cannot be a justifiable reason to need complete access to all data housed at SSA,” the senators continued.
Earlier this month, Wyden warned of the risks of DOGE entering Social Security, and sought assurances from the then-Acting Commissioner Michelle King about the security of Americans’ personal information. King provided those assurances and was subsequently replaced for defying DOGE’s orders to grant unfettered access to Americans’ sensitive information held by SSA.
The full letter can be found here.
###
Previous Article