Top federal agency with history of wasteful spending could be next DOGE target

Elon Musk, the chief of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is on a mission to clean up waste and fraud in the federal government. After recent measures taken against the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Musk’s efforts are now shifting focus to the Social Security Administration (SSA). This move is expected to create a firestorm with Democrats, similar to reactions seen with the USAID crackdown.

The SSA, established in 1935 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, is responsible for providing federal benefits to older Americans. While some Democrats have accused Musk of aiming to slash Social Security benefits for the elderly, there are areas within the agency where potential waste and fraud exist that don’t involve cutting current benefits.

According to a report from Semafor, which was not denied by the White House, DOGE will soon be targeting the SSA. Just Facts, a nonprofit research institute, previously reported that the agency disbursed approximately $2 billion in fraudulent or improper payments in 2022. This amount could have been used to pay nearly 90,000 retired workers the average annual old-age benefit for that year.

One concerning policy highlighted by Just Facts is “administrative finality,” which allows the SSA to continue making future overpayments to beneficiaries even after mistakenly overpaying them for more than four years. Additionally, a 2010 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed that the SSA sent disability benefits to around 7,000 federal employees who were still receiving wages from federal jobs.

Furthermore, the GAO found that over 71,000 stimulus checks were sent by the Obama administration to deceased individuals, including many whose deaths had been previously reported to the SSA. These instances of waste and improper payments underscore the need for Musk’s team to address inefficiencies within the agency.

President Donald Trump has reassured the public that Social Security will not be cut but rather strengthened through DOGE’s efforts. He emphasized the importance of weeding out illegal immigrants who may be receiving benefits improperly. Trump’s administration is committed to strengthening Social Security and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.

DOGE’s recent actions against USAID have garnered significant attention, with Musk’s team slashing the agency’s budget and placing most employees on leave. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, acting director of USAID, echoed the sentiment that the agency needs to be realigned with the national interest and ensure that taxpayer dollars are used effectively.

Despite criticism from Democrats, Musk remains steadfast in his mission to eliminate waste and fraud in the federal government. The rally outside the Treasury Department condemning DOGE’s efforts as a threat to democracy reflects the contentious nature of these reforms. However, Musk and his team are committed to upholding transparency and accountability in government spending.

In conclusion, Elon Musk’s dedication to government efficiency is reshaping how federal agencies operate. By targeting areas of waste and fraud within the SSA, Musk is working to strengthen Social Security and ensure that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly. While facing opposition from Democrats, Musk’s efforts are rooted in the principles of accountability and good governance.