Social Security Commissioner Reportedly Ousted After Denying Elon Musk Access to ‘Sensitive Files’

Brandon Bell/Pool via AP

Michelle King, the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, was ousted after denying Elon Musk access to “sensitive files,” a person close to the matter told The Washington Post on Monday.

The newspaper spoke to three sources who claimed Musk and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency tried to access agency information that King denied them. One source said King was “replaced” instantly after spending decades with the SSA. The Post reported:

President Donald Trump appointed Leland Dudek, a manager in charge of Social Security’s anti-fraud office, as acting commissioner while Frank Bisignano, the president’s nominee for permanent commissioner, is vetted by the Senate, according to three individuals who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly. A public announcement is expected this week. Dudek had posted positive remarks on social media about DOGE’s efforts to cut costs and search for fraud in federal agencies, according to two of the individuals.

The Trump administration declined to comment on the matter but the Post reported those close to the president are “skeptical of career employees” at agencies such as SSA over their “efforts to guard federal data.”

Musk’s DOGE is targeting SSA after previously going after and attempting to gut numerous agencies. Countless career officials in those departments have either resigned or been fired.

In the case of King, progressive activist Nancy Altman of the group Social Security Works told the Post, “What I know is that DOGE wanted access to SSA’s sensitive files — the same way they’re trying to do at Labor and Treasury — and the acting commissioner wouldn’t give it, and she was replaced.”