“DOGE kids” changes to Social Security revealed by head of agency

Leland Dudek, the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), admitted in a leaked recording that he does not fully understand the extent of access that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has over Americans’ personal data.

The audio, obtained by ProPublica, captures Dudek referring to young DOGE staffers as “the DOGE kids” and confirming that they have “broad access” to sensitive Social Security numbers and other personal information.

The revelation comes as part of sweeping changes to the agency under President Donald Trump, who has returned to the White House with an agenda to restructure multiple federal agencies.

DOGE’s Expanding Role in SSA

The recording offers an unfiltered view into the dramatic changes at SSA under DOGE’s oversight. Dudek, who was unexpectedly promoted to acting commissioner after Michelle King stepped down in protest, admitted in the meeting that DOGE has essentially taken control of SSA operations.

“I don’t want the system to collapse,” Dudek said in a closed-door meeting last week, according to the recording. He also said that it “would be catastrophic for the people in our country.” Despite his concerns, he defended DOGE’s involvement, calling its approach unconventional but necessary. “They’re learning. Let people learn. They’re going to make mistakes.”

DOGE, Musk’s cost-cutting initiative aimed at streamlining federal agencies, has already implemented sweeping reductions at SSA. Dudek acknowledged that at least 7,000 SSA employees are slated to lose their jobs, while the agency is undergoing structural consolidation, including the reduction of 10 regional offices to four and the termination of multiple field office leases.

There are also ongoing discussions about outsourcing customer service functions. According to the report, Dudek admitted that these changes were not his first preference but were dictated by the White House. “I work for the president. I need to do what the president tells me to do,” he stated. “I’ve had to make some tough choices, choices I didn’t agree with, but the president wanted it and I did it.”

Concerns Over Data Security

One of the most pressing concerns raised by SSA employees and watchdog groups is the unrestricted access DOGE staffers have to SSA’s data systems, including the personal records of Social Security recipients. Former SSA chief of staff Tiffany Flick, who left the agency following DOGE’s takeover, warned that the new agents, who were not vetted or trained by SSA, demonstrated a dangerous disregard for data confidentiality.

In a sworn legal declaration, Flick claimed that DOGE officials arrived at SSA with preconceived notions of widespread fraud, despite no evidence to support such claims. According to her, DOGE agents ignored internal fraud detection safeguards and lacked proper training to prevent data breaches.

Dudek appeared to acknowledge these risks in the recording, showing uncertainty over how DOGE was handling SSA’s data. When asked about DOGE’s control over SSA’s databases, he responded, “Are we going to break something? I don’t know.” Despite this, he attempted to downplay concerns, saying that the new DOGE staffers were “thinking about work differently.”

Trump Administration’s Push for Changes

The restructuring of SSA is part of a broader government-wide overhaul under Trump’s second administration, with DOGE leading similar efforts at other agencies. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has faced comparable disruptions, with internal memos revealing that senior USAID officials warned that shutting down its global health programs could lead to thousands of preventable deaths.

The memos, also obtained by ProPublica, estimated that up to 166,000 people would die from malaria due to the cuts, while 200,000 children would be paralyzed by polio. The reports further projected that one million children would go untreated for severe malnutrition.

Despite these warnings, the White House proceeded with mass terminations, effectively gutting USAID operations. The administration argued that the cuts were necessary to eliminate inefficiency and fraud, a claim that career officials at both SSA and USAID have strongly disputed.

What Comes Next?

Dudek is expected to step down as Trump’s nominee for SSA commissioner, Frank Bisignano, takes over. The agency remains in a state of uncertainty, with service disruptions likely for millions of retirees, disabled individuals, and low-income families who rely on Social Security benefits.

For now, Dudek remains caught between conflicting pressures: the sweeping changes demanded by the White House and the growing concerns of SSA employees. “I actually like having the kids around,” he said of DOGE staffers, adding that although they were unfamiliar with the “nuances” of SSA, he was trying to get them to be more thoughtful. “They’re thinking about work differently.”

As DOGE continues to exert control over SSA, questions remain about data security, service disruptions, and the future of Social Security itself.