1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

The systematic destruction of Social Security is underway, and Democrats must do more than just oppose it. Republicans, DOGE, and President Trump are starving SSA of resources, closing offices, slashing staff, and eliminating phone access—forcing millions of seniors and disabled Americans into hardship. The GOP’s endgame is clear: cripple, gut, and ultimately privatize Social Security.   The evidence is everywhere: • Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce, declared that anyone complaining about missing a Social Security check is a “fraudster.” This billionaire’s mother will be fine—but what about the 70 million Americans who rely on Social Security to survive? • Elon Musk, the wealthiest person on the planet, calls Social Security a “Ponzi scheme,” while Trump and Musk cite false data to justify gutting the program. • SSA offices are shutting down, staff is being gutted, and phone access is being eliminated. Millions of elderly and disabled Americans must travel long distances and wait in hours-long lines just to receive what they’re owed. • This is by design. They are setting Social Security up to fail so they can argue it must be privatized. Those who paid in for decades are being abandoned.   This is the reckoning. Democrats must make this the political fight of a lifetime: • Call this what it is—economic warfare against working Americans. Every press conference, committee hearing, and debate must expose this attack. • Use every legislative tool available. If Republicans can grind Washington to a halt over tax cuts for the wealthy, Democrats must be willing to do the same to protect Social Security. • Force Republicans to go on record. Will they fight for their constituents’ retirement security, or let billionaires dismantle it? • Rally the public. Hold town halls, go on every news network, put the faces of struggling seniors on full display. The GOP wants to dismantle Social Security in the shadows—drag them into the light. • Take the fight directly to their voters. Use your influence to rally grassroots movements, labor unions, and senior advocacy groups. Make this the defining issue in every district in America.   The late John Lewis urged us to make good trouble—not just outrage, but action. You must forcefully confront those enabling this attack. Make Social Security untouchable. Make Republicans answer for their complicity, their silence, their indifference to suffering. Use every tool, every procedural move, every microphone and camera, every ally inside and outside Congress to bring this fight to the national stage. We’ve clearly moved past the holding up paddles stage.   What will you do? Your constituents are watching. Your moment is here. Rise to it.