Acting Social Security Commissioner Leland Dudek threatened to shut down operations at the agency after a federal judge blocked Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive data. The judge ruled that the DOGE affiliates were engaging in a “fishing expedition” for fraud based on suspicion. However, Dudek’s interpretation went beyond the judge’s ruling, threatening to cut off access to all SSA employees. The judge clarified that only employees involved with DOGE activities are affected by the ruling. Eventually, Dudek walked back his threat and stated that SSA operations will continue under the temporary restraining order.
This incident is part of a larger pattern of DOGE employees attempting to access private data at various federal agencies. In another case, DOGE was temporarily blocked from accessing information at the Treasury Department after a lawsuit by state attorneys general. An agreement was reached for a DOGE staffer to have limited access to anonymized taxpayer information at the IRS.
Dudek’s predecessor, Michelle King, left the agency after refusing to comply with DOGE’s request for access to sensitive government records. The issue of privacy and access to sensitive data is a contentious one, with federal judges repeatedly stepping in to limit DOGE’s reach. Despite the threats of shutdown, operation at the SSA will continue as usual under the guidance of the court.
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