Social Security’s Acting Chief Resigns Amid

Michelle King Resigns Amid Clash with Elon Musk’s DOGE

A Sudden Exit
Michelle King, the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), has stepped down following a dispute with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The conflict reportedly began when DOGE requested access to confidential Social Security records — a move SSA officials viewed as a serious breach of privacy. “That was the breaking point for Michelle King,” said one senior federal official familiar with the situation.

Leadership Shake-Up
The White House confirmed that President Trump accepted King’s resignation and appointed Leland Dudek, the SSA’s anti-fraud chief, as acting commissioner. Trump also nominated Frank Bisignano, CEO of Fiserv, to take over permanently, describing him as “highly qualified and talented.”

Musk’s Push for Transparency
Elon Musk defended DOGE’s request, saying the department’s goal was to eliminate waste and fraud within government systems. “There are thousands of Americans over 120 years old — on paper,” he remarked, suggesting outdated records were a major issue.

Privacy Concerns
Critics argued that DOGE’s approach risks compromising citizens’ personal data and undermines long-standing federal privacy protections.

A Symbolic Shift
King’s resignation underscores a growing tension between Silicon Valley’s data-driven efficiency model and the government’s obligation to safeguard sensitive information.

The episode marks a pivotal moment in how technology and transparency efforts may reshape the handling of public data in federal agencies moving forward.