The acting head of the Social Security Administration (SSA), Leland Dudek, has backtracked on his earlier statement that he might shut down the agency due to a judge’s ruling limiting access to sensitive data by the Department of Government of Efficiency (DOGE).
A US District Judge blocked DOGE from accessing SSA systems containing personally identifiable information. This decision did not affect Social Security payments. The acting head received “clarifying guidance” about the judge’s temporary restraining order and has decided not to shut down the agency.
President Trump supports keeping Social Security offices open and ensuring timely payment of benefits. The SSA employees will continue working under the current conditions, despite the restrictions on access to their systems. The judge clarified that employee access to IT systems would be restricted only for those affiliated with DOGE, not all SSA staff.
The decision was met with criticism from organizations such as AARP, which warned that a shutdown would harm tens of millions of members relying on Social Security benefits.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/acting-social-security-chief-now-shut-agency-after/story?id=120046608