1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

The Trump administration's actions threaten to dismantle the Social Security system that millions of Americans rely on. Leland Dudek, the acting commissioner elevated by Musk, has rapidly pushed out over 12% of the agency's expert staff and plans to fire nearly half the remaining workforce. Field offices are being shut down, leaving retirees and disabled claimants without access to vital services. The agency's systems are being jeopardized as experienced technical staff are forced out. Furthermore, Musk has granted unvetted political appointees access to Americans' sensitive personal data stored by Social Security, putting privacy at risk. This reckless restructuring, based on the false narrative of widespread fraud, is crippling Social Security's ability to serve the public effectively. Instead of cuts, the chronically underfunded agency requires more staffing and resources to meet its obligations to the nation's seniors and people with disabilities. Urgent action is needed to stop these destructive actions, reinstate dismissed personnel with operational expertise, and prevent the privatization of core Social Security functions. The exploitation of this crucial social program for political aims must cease to preserve its integrity for current and future beneficiaries.