In a surprising shake-up within the federal government, Michelle King, the long-serving acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), resigned from her position following growing tensions with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The dispute reportedly centered around access to confidential Social Security records, according to multiple reports.
King’s resignation, confirmed by the White House and first reported by USA Today, ends a three-decade career overseeing one of the largest public benefit systems in the United States — one that provides monthly payments to roughly 73 million retirees, disabled Americans, and survivors.
A Sudden Departure After Rising Conflict
Sources familiar with the situation say King’s decision came after DOGE officials requested internal access to SSA data systems as part of their ongoing review of government inefficiency and fraud. The request reportedly included inquiries into payment records and administrative operations, which SSA leadership viewed as an overreach into citizens’ privacy.
“Elon Musk’s efficiency team was demanding direct access to highly sensitive Social Security information,” said a senior federal official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “That was the breaking point for Michelle King.”
The White House quickly confirmed that President Trump had accepted King’s resignation and appointed Leland Dudek, the agency’s anti-fraud chief, as the new acting commissioner.
Trump’s Pick to Lead the SSA
President Trump also announced his intention to nominate Frank Bisignano, CEO of financial services giant Fiserv, as the permanent head of the Social Security Administration.
In a statement, White House spokesperson Harrison Fields praised Bisignano as “highly qualified and talented,” emphasizing the administration’s commitment to reforming the agency.
“President Trump has nominated Frank Bisignano to lead the Social Security Administration, and we expect him to be swiftly confirmed in the coming weeks,” Fields said. “In the meantime, the agency will be led by a career Social Security anti-fraud expert.”
The appointment of Dudek, who has long been recognized for his work in identifying waste and fraud within federal benefit programs, signals that the administration plans to take a more aggressive stance on government accountability and efficiency.
DOGE’s Expanding Role
The Department of Government Efficiency — known by its acronym DOGE — was launched earlier this year under Elon Musk’s direction as part of President Trump’s second-term initiative to reduce government waste and streamline operations.
DOGE’s mission includes reviewing every major federal agency for unnecessary spending and overlapping responsibilities. However, recent developments indicate that its methods have sparked friction with established departments.
Reports suggest that DOGE has recently requested access to the Internal Revenue Service’s data systems, raising alarms among privacy advocates and agency officials who fear potential breaches of confidentiality.
“Elon Musk’s team is moving fast and breaking bureaucracies,” said one White House insider. “But when you’re dealing with the Social Security Administration or the IRS, there’s no room for error. These agencies handle the most sensitive personal data in the country.”
Concerns Over Data Privacy
King’s resignation appears to reflect those tensions. According to SSA staff, she had voiced concerns about maintaining the agency’s independence and data integrity in the face of increasing political and administrative pressure.
“She took her duty to protect beneficiaries’ privacy very seriously,” said one former colleague. “The moment outside agencies started pushing for direct access, she knew it crossed a line.”
The Social Security Administration, which operates on a massive annual budget exceeding $1 trillion, manages one of the most complex benefit networks in the world. Its databases contain decades of income histories, medical eligibility records, and personally identifiable information — making it a prime target for both cybersecurity threats and political scrutiny.
Musk’s Push for Transparency
For his part, Elon Musk has defended DOGE’s approach, arguing that transparency and accountability are essential to reforming what he calls the “bloated federal system.”
In a series of social media posts, Musk claimed that billions of dollars in Social Security payments are being misallocated, including benefits allegedly being sent to deceased individuals still listed in the SSA database.
“There are thousands of Americans over 120 years old—on paper,” Musk wrote on X. “That’s either a miracle or a massive accounting failure. We’re here to fix it.”
DOGE officials have echoed Musk’s remarks, saying that their analysis of government inefficiency includes identifying “fraudulent or redundant payments” within the Social Security system.
Leland Dudek, the newly appointed acting commissioner, has previously praised DOGE’s efficiency drive, describing it as “a much-needed audit of how our government operates.”
Political Context and Public Reaction
King’s resignation arrives as President Trump’s approval ratings remain strong, roughly a month into his second term. Despite polarizing debates over his rapid policy changes, three recent national surveys — including one by Newsweek — have shown that a majority of Americans approve of his performance, with ratings hovering around 50 percent.
Supporters of the administration argue that King’s departure is part of a broader effort to replace entrenched bureaucrats with reform-minded leaders aligned with Trump’s efficiency goals.
Critics, however, view the situation as an encroachment on government independence, raising fears that private-sector influence — particularly Musk’s expanding role — could undermine institutional checks and balances.
“Government efficiency should not come at the cost of privacy and oversight,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). “Handing private data over to billionaire-run departments is not reform — it’s reckless.”
What Comes Next for the SSA
For now, Leland Dudek will oversee daily operations while Bisignano awaits Senate confirmation. Insiders say Dudek plans to continue King’s modernization efforts while cooperating closely with DOGE on fraud prevention initiatives.
However, sources within the agency note that morale has been shaken by the abrupt leadership change. Many SSA employees worry that Musk’s team could attempt to centralize data access, potentially compromising security protocols built over decades.
“This is the most sensitive information in the government outside of the IRS,” one longtime SSA employee said. “If DOGE gets unrestricted access, that’s a massive cybersecurity risk.”
Meanwhile, watchdog groups are calling for congressional hearings into DOGE’s authority and its interactions with agencies managing public data. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed interest in examining whether DOGE’s oversight powers were clearly defined or overextended.
Musk’s Broader Government Agenda
Elon Musk’s influence within the Trump administration has expanded rapidly since his appointment to head the Department of Government Efficiency earlier this year. DOGE has launched audits across multiple agencies, from the Department of Education to the Environmental Protection Agency, identifying redundancies and proposing large-scale budget cuts.
While the initiative has saved billions according to early White House estimates, it has also generated political controversy. Detractors claim that DOGE’s rapid restructuring risks destabilizing essential services, while supporters hail it as the boldest modernization push in decades.
“DOGE is shaking things up,” said political analyst Sarah Whitmore. “But it’s also testing how much power can be concentrated in a nontraditional government department run by someone who isn’t a lifelong bureaucrat.”
A Symbolic Shift
Michelle King’s resignation marks more than just a personnel change — it symbolizes the growing struggle between traditional government bureaucracy and Silicon Valley-style disruption.
For now, the future of the Social Security Administration remains uncertain. As Dudek steps in and DOGE continues its audits, the delicate balance between efficiency, privacy, and accountability will likely define the agency’s next chapter.