Leland Dudek’s weekend started with a phone call removing him from his job at the Social Security Administration after giving information about the agency to DOGE, the government cost-cutting initiative associated with billionaire Elon Musk.

The Social Security budget cut, an anti-trans attack, was the latest example of confusion sown by bold claims that wither under scrutiny.

Attempts by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to seek access to the Social Security Administration’s database have sparked concern that it could compromise people’s private financial and medical information and could lead to a disruption in benefits.

When people think of Social Security, they typically think of monthly benefits — for the roughly 69 million retirees, disabled workers, dependents and survivors who receive them today.

Some Democrats have raised concerns about Leland Dudek’s leadership of the agency.

KTLA's David Lazarus reports on the Department of Government Efficiency's effort to gain access to Social Security records. Feb. 19, 2025.

The Social Security Administration’s acting commissioner has stepped down from her role at the agency over Department of Government Efficiency requests to access Social Security recipient information,