Top Social Security official steps down in latest DOGE clash

The Social Security Administration’s acting commissioner, Michelle King, resigned over the weekend after refusing to give the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, access to sensitive files, the Washington Post reported. King had worked at the agency for over 30 years. A top Treasury Department official resigned last month under similar circumstances.

Who will replace King? President Trump appointed Leland Dudek, head of the Social Security Administration's anti-fraud office, as interim leader of the agency. Trump’s pick for agency head, Frank Bisignano, is still awaiting Senate confirmation.

Why is DOGE investigating the Social Security Administration? Elon Musk recently claimed DOGE is uncovering rampant Social Security fraud, including payouts to millions of dead people. But it’s unclear who is actually leading DOGE’s investigation after a White House official revealed in a Monday federal court filing that Musk is not an employee of DOGE or its administrator. Joshua Fisher, director of the Office of Administration, in the filing characterized Musk’s official role as that of a non-career special government employee and senior advisor to the president.