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The US Social Security Administration (SSA) announced Friday that it plans to cut 7,000 employees, a move that will reduce its workforce by over 12 percent.
The decision is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to downsize the federal government.
In a statement, the SSA defended the cuts, describing its current workforce as “bloated” and emphasizing a shift toward prioritising “mission-critical services.” The agency aims to bring its staffing levels down from approximately 57,000 to 50,000 employees. Additionally, SSA plans to consolidate its regional offices, reducing them from ten to just four.
The Social Security Administration serves as a lifeline for millions of retired and disabled Americans, distributing benefits to 73 million people each month. Traditionally, Social Security has been considered politically untouchable when it comes to federal budget cuts, making Friday’s announcement a significant shift in government policy.
The Trump administration, along with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has pushed for deep reductions in the federal workforce, arguing that the government is overly large and inefficient. More than 100,000 federal employees have been laid off or bought out since Trump returned to office, reflecting his broader push to streamline government operations.
In response to the workforce reductions, two dozen senior SSA staff members resigned on Friday, according to an internal memo from Leland Dudek, the agency’s acting commissioner. Dudek took over following the resignation of Michelle King, the former acting commissioner, who stepped down over concerns that members of Elon Musk’s DOGE team had gained access to SSA’s computer systems. These systems hold the personal data of tens of millions of Americans.
Neither the White House nor the Department of Government Efficiency has responded to requests for comment regarding the layoffs or the resignations.
The cuts also raise questions about President Trump’s previous pledges. During his re-election campaign, Trump repeatedly assured voters that Social Security would not be affected by his cost-cutting measures. However, the administration now argues that these job reductions will not impact beneficiaries but will instead improve efficiency by removing non-essential roles.
Despite these assurances, critics warn that the reduction in staff and office closures could lead to slower processing times for benefits and customer service delays for millions of Americans who rely on Social Security. Advocacy groups and Democratic lawmakers are expected to push back against the cuts, arguing that they could weaken one of the nation’s most vital social safety nets.
As the administration moves forward with its downsizing plans, Social Security recipients and federal workers alike are left wondering how these changes will impact them in the months ahead.
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