1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

Social Security is currently facing a crisis unlike any it has seen since its founding in 1935, threatening the monthly benefits that 73 million retired workers, survivors, disabled individuals, and impoverished Americans rely on. This dire situation is not due to financial insolvency, fraud, or high administrative costs, but rather the actions of the Trump administration and Elon Musk. The acting commissioner, installed by Musk, has issued chaotic policy changes, pushing out over 12% of skilled staff and announcing plans to fire nearly half the workforce. Field offices are being shuttered, phone services have deteriorated, and the website has crashed repeatedly due to overloaded servers. Musk's team has been granted unprecedented access to Americans' sensitive personal data, putting privacy at risk. This turmoil is leaving many beneficiaries with reduced access or cut off from the system entirely. Trump and Musk are lying about rampant fraud to justify actions that could deny eligible recipients their earned benefits. Their deep staffing cuts, service restrictions, and restructuring threaten Social Security's ability to serve the public effectively, potentially paving the way for privatization. Congress must intervene urgently. Reinstate the skilled staff Musk has terminated, expand hiring to properly serve beneficiaries, and prevent any further encroachment on this vital program by the Trump administration and unqualified political appointees. The financial viability and integrity of Social Security, a cornerstone of economic security for millions, is at stake. Safeguarding it from attempts at sabotage should be a paramount priority.