Social Security chief walks back shutdown threat after D.O.G.E ruling

SSA Chief Backs Down After Threatening Shutdown Over D.O.G.E Data Dispute

Leland Dudek, the acting head of the Social Security Administration (SSA), has retracted his threat to shut down the entire agency following a federal judge's ruling against data access for staff associated with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E). The legal decision blocked D.O.G.E personnel from obtaining millions of Americans' private records, prompting Dudek to respond with a drastic measure—only to reverse course after judicial clarification.

Federal Judge Blocks D.O.G.E Data Access

Judge Ellen Hollander ruled in favor of union groups seeking to prevent what she called a “fishing expedition” by D.O.G.E operatives. Her decision halted any unauthorized search of sensitive Social Security data, including medical records, birth and marriage certificates, credit details, and tax filings. Hollander criticized D.O.G.E for failing to provide any valid justification for such access, stating in court, “They never identified or articulated even a single reason.”

Dudek’s Initial Reaction: A Total System Lockout

Following the ruling, Dudek told Bloomberg News he intended to comply to the letter—by revoking access for all SSA employees, as the court had not clearly defined D.O.G.E affiliates. “My anti-fraud team would be D.O.G.E affiliates. My IT staff would be D.O.G.E affiliates,” he argued. “As it stands, I will follow it exactly and terminate access by all SSA employees to our IT systems.”

Taking his stance further, Dudek suggested, “I want to turn it off and let the courts figure out how they want to run a federal agency.”

Judge Hollander Issues Clarification, Dudek Reverses Course

By the next day, however, Judge Hollander responded with two letters, labeling Dudek’s interpretation “inaccurate.” She emphasized that her ruling affected only those directly involved in D.O.G.E operations. “A D.O.G.E affiliate is defined in the order as a person working on or implementing the D.O.G.E agenda,” she wrote.

Shortly thereafter, Dudek rescinded his shutdown plan. In a public statement, he explained, “The Court issued clarifying guidance about the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) related to D.O.G.E employees and D.O.G.E activities at the Social Security Administration (SSA). Therefore, I am not shutting down the agency. SSA employees and their work will continue under the TRO.”

D.O.G.E’s Ongoing Data Grab Across Federal Agencies

This SSA controversy is just one of several recent legal battles surrounding D.O.G.E’s efforts to access federal data. In February, a similar case saw a federal judge block D.O.G.E staff from entering Treasury Department systems following a lawsuit filed by 19 state attorneys general. Despite this, D.O.G.E managed to secure partial access to anonymized taxpayer data at the IRS through a separate agreement.

The aggressive push by D.O.G.E has led to proposed budget and staff cuts across multiple agencies. The IRS, for example, faces a 20% workforce reduction by May 15, as reported by CNN. Additionally, D.O.G.E has attempted to shut down the taxpayer-funded United States Institute of Peace.

Public Backlash Intensifies: The Tesla Takedown Movement

D.O.G.E’s controversial policies have fueled mounting public protests, particularly targeting Elon Musk’s Tesla. The “Tesla Takedown” movement, now in its fifth week, urges Tesla owners to sell their vehicles and dump their stocks, condemning Musk’s influence over federal institutions.

Nationwide demonstrations have escalated, with nearly 90 Tesla showrooms hit by protests last Saturday. Signs reading “Sell your swasticar” and “Honk if you hate Elon” have become rallying cries. The movement, co-founded by filmmaker Alex Winter and Boston University journalism professor Joan Donovan, has grown to 28 states and Washington, D.C.

“There’s no walk of life that D.O.G.E doesn’t touch,” Donovan told CNN. “That’s reflected in the diversity of people that come to these protests.”

Turnout continues to rise, with 400 people attending a Rockville, Maryland protest this past weekend—double the numbers seen in early demonstrations. Former Environmental Protection Agency employee Karen Metchis, 72, participated, noting, “It lets the public know they’re not alone in their feelings. Hopefully, it builds a mass movement where it’s just not tenable for the Trump administration to continue doing what they’re doing.”

The Growing Fight Over Data and Power

What started as a dispute over Social Security data has evolved into a broader struggle involving federal agencies, courts, and the public. D.O.G.E’s aggressive push for government access has fueled distrust, legal battles, and nationwide protests, proving that the fight over data and power is far from over.