Michelle King, the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), has resigned from her position following a significant clash with Elon Musk’s U.S. DOGE Service. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that King left her post on Sunday after a dispute over the service’s efforts to access sensitive government records.
King, who had spent several decades at the SSA, was named acting commissioner just last month. Her resignation marks a sudden and significant turn of events at the agency, which plays a critical role in managing social security benefits and overseeing a vast array of personal data for millions of Americans.
According to multiple sources, the conflict arose after U.S. DOGE Service, a company associated with Musk, attempted to gain access to sensitive records held by the SSA. The specifics of the request have not been fully disclosed, but it was described as being at odds with the agency’s protocols for safeguarding personal data and ensuring privacy for U.S. citizens.
The disagreement reportedly centered around concerns that the request posed a risk to the integrity of the agency’s operations and its responsibilities to protect citizens’ personal information. U.S. DOGE Service’s involvement in the dispute has added fuel to the growing scrutiny surrounding Musk’s ventures and their impact on government agencies. Musk, a prominent tech entrepreneur, has been involved in various projects, but his attempts to engage with government systems have often raised questions about privacy and oversight.
King’s departure is seen as a significant loss for the SSA, as she was highly regarded for her long tenure and experience within the agency. Her resignation has raised concerns about the stability of the agency, which is tasked with managing social security, disability, and retirement programs, as well as overseeing a vast array of personal data for millions of Americans.
The acting commissioner’s resignation comes at a time when the SSA is under increasing pressure to modernize its systems and adapt to the growing role of technology in government services. It remains unclear who will succeed King in the role, or how the agency will handle the ongoing dispute with the U.S. DOGE Service moving forward.
The White House and SSA officials have yet to comment publicly on the matter, but the situation is expected to spark further discussions regarding the relationship between government agencies and private tech companies.
