In a rare public appearance, former President Joe Biden took aim at the Trump administration during a speech in Chicago, accusing it of undermining Social Security through deep staffing cuts and risky policy decisions.
Biden criticized the elimination of thousands of positions within the Social Security Administration, warning that the reduction in personnel is leading to slower service, processing delays, and added stress for millions of beneficiaries. He also pointed to ongoing technical issues with the agency’s digital systems, which have caused repeated service interruptions.
Adding to the concern, Biden raised alarms over the growing influence of the Department of Government Efficiency—now led by Elon Musk—which he claimed has been given access to sensitive personal data of Social Security recipients, sparking fears over data privacy and oversight.
Biden’s remarks were delivered to an audience of disability advocates and policy leaders, as he called for renewed focus on protecting vital government programs from what he described as politically motivated restructuring.
The appearance marks a clear re-entry into public discourse for the former president, reigniting debate over the federal government’s responsibility in safeguarding Social Security for future generations.