US social security agency chief threatens closure over Doge stand-off

The Trump administration is threatening to all but shut down the Social Security Administration (SSA), in response to a judge's ruling blocking activities by Mr Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) - an action that could delay payments to millions of beneficiaries caught in the middle of the legal battle.

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WASHINGTON -

Acting Social Security Commissioner Leland Dudek said the temporary restraining order issued on March 20 is so broad in blocking access to data by "Doge affiliates" that it could apply to any Social Security employee.

"My anti-fraud team would be Doge affiliates. My IT (information technology) staff would be Doge affiliates," Mr Dudek said. "As it stands, I will follow it exactly and terminate access by all SSA employees to our IT systems."

He said he would ask the judge to immediately clarify her order.

"Really, I want to turn it off and let the courts figure out how they want to run a federal agency," he said.

The judge concluded that the unions and the retiree-advocacy group that sued were likely to succeed in arguing that Doge access to the agency's systems violated US laws meant to safeguard sensitive information.

The stand-off represents a new escalation in the multi-front battle between US President Donald Trump and the judiciary, potentially putting 73 million Americans who receive old-age or disability benefits in the crossfire.

The White House said Mr Trump would "continue to seek all legal remedies available to ensure the will of the American people goes into effect".