Michelle King, a senior official at the Social Security Administration (SSA), has resigned following ongoing disputes over the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) expanded access to IRS data. Her departure marks the latest development in a series of tensions between government agencies as the Trump administration pushes for increased oversight of federal spending.
King, who oversaw aspects of the SSA’s data management and fraud prevention programs, reportedly raised concerns over DOGE’s authority to audit IRS records for Social Security recipients. The department, led by Elon Musk, has been investigating potential cases of improper benefit payments, citing discrepancies in tax filings and age-related anomalies within the Social Security system.
The controversy escalated after DOGE uncovered millions of Social Security records with questionable data, including reports of individuals listed as over 130 years old. The administration has argued that greater transparency is necessary to prevent fraud and mismanagement, but critics, including King, have warned of privacy risks and potential bureaucratic overreach.
In her resignation statement, King expressed concerns about the direction of federal oversight policies, stating that government databases must be used responsibly and with clear guidelines to prevent unintended consequences. The White House has not commented on her departure but has reaffirmed its commitment to fiscal accountability.
As DOGE continues its investigations into federal spending inefficiencies, the debate over data access and privacy protections is expected to remain a focal point in Washington.