The top official at the Social Security Administration (SSA), Michelle King, resigned over the weekend after Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) sought access to private records of Americans. King, who had served as acting commissioner for 30 years, was responsible for overseeing benefits for 73 million retirees and disabled individuals.

Following King’s departure, President Trump appointed Leland Dudek, who previously led the SSA’s anti-fraud office, as acting commissioner. Trump nominated Frank Bisignano, president and CEO of Fiserv, to lead the SSA permanently, pending Senate confirmation.

Musk’s DOGE team has been working across federal agencies to cut costs and reduce the federal bureaucracy. This includes their push for access to IRS systems holding sensitive information. Musk has claimed that there is widespread fraud in the SSA, including payments made to deceased individuals.

This controversy arises amid Trump’s steady approval ratings, which remain strong despite challenges.