From Lisa Rein at the Washington Post:
Leaders of the Social Security Administration had just opened an investigation into a career employee they believed was improperly sharing information with Elon Musk’s cost-cutting team when President Donald Trump elevated the employee this week to acting commissioner. …
It’s not clear what data Dudek shared, but his actions raised enough alarm that he may have violated privacy and tax laws that senior officials placed him on paid leave as they launched their investigation. The officials, including attorneys in the general counsel’s office, also were notified late last week that Dudek had sent harassing emails to employees in the agency’s personnel and security divisions to rush them to let several engineers hired by DOGE start work and gain access to agency computer systems. The officials pushed back, saying that they had not completed background investigations into the new hires….
When the [DOGE] team learned last week that Dudek would be investigated, the chief information officer called acting commissioner Michelle King to demand answers. Then, on the Sunday of Presidents’ Day weekend, King received an email announcing that Trump had appointed Dudek to replace her. After being effectively forced out, King abruptly retired after three decades of service, the three individuals said. Her acting chief of staff, Tiffany Flick, also retired. …
In his first days on the job, Dudek has made bold moves that are highly unusual for someone in an acting role. He has slashed the agency’s research program, restructured numerous departments, announced the hires of new political staff, and made personnel changes that include the demotion of the career senior executive who was involved in placing him on paid leave last week, according to internal personnel announcements obtained by The Washington Post. …
“If I were them, I would want to get my permanent person in as fast as possible,” said Andrew Saul, who served as Social Security commissioner during Trump’s first term. “The situation is not good, obviously.” Saul said he recommended King, then deputy commissioner for operations, to Trump’s transition team after his election in November. “I knew she’d hold the ship down.” …
35 comments:
A MAGA federal employee is allegedly giving our personal information to DOGE and who knows what they will do with it. The public will have no confidence in our agency about information remaining private.
The agency stresses the importance of the Privacy Act from day one but I guess the exemption exists for MAGA management. Expect a pardon from this administration but the damage of confidence is lost. Expect the public to take it out on frontline SSA employees.
The SSA website…
Why should I use the online application?
Applying online for retirement benefits offers several advantages:
• You can start your application immediately. There is no need to schedule an appointment.
• You can apply from the convenience of your home or on any computer.
• You can avoid trips to a Social Security office, saving you time and money.
How secure is my personal information?
We use secure technology to keep your information private.
"Dudek has made *bold* moves...". There's nothing bold about what that sniveling, treasonous bureaucrat did and continues to do. As the 🇷🇺 might say, Dudek is nothing more than a useful idiot, at least for now. Looking forward to following where he ends up after he becomes dispensable to MAGA. Truly hope the worst of his todays are the best of his tomorrows, along with all the other conspirators in this betrayal of our republic. He will certainly find no refuge, solace, or empathy from any true blue civil servants, ones that that actually protect the Constitution they swore an oath to, especially the many veterans employed by SSA or receive disability from SSA.
Holy cow! When you've lost ANDREW SAUL...
Lisa Rein is the willing pawn of insider career SES and their equivalents. She authored a hit piece on Gruber (who had no business running the hearings component), based upon insider "complaints," while Gruber was dealing with a serious illness. Not interested in Rein's heavy handed, scandal sheet journalism.
Any SSA employee who even mistakenly enters into the data system an SSN that does not belong to his or her caseload, must report the mistaken entry immediately to a supervisor so that when it gets flag as an improper entry, there's a documented record of the mistake. If the employee does not report the mistake, the action is grounds for disciplinary action, suspension or worse. Sounds like all bets are off now, and SSNs are being data mined for Musk's personal use?
Unbelievable that someone from the Office of Program Integrity would commit fraud by sharing information with outside parties before they were cleared. By the way, READ ONLY does not mean they cannot use the data for other purposes. I cannot wait until they use the beneficiary (retirement & disability) list against voter rolls.
Why would you want to put in nominated SSA Commissioner, Frank Bisignano faster when you have a lackey that you can manipulate, do your bidding and blame for any fallout? Perfect MAGA situation.
Let's all take a deep breath.
*Dudek said he didn't share (PII Personally identifiable information ).
*He is only acting, for a short period, until the new SSA commissioner is confirmed. His power and term will be limited.
1:52. Oh, so it's OK as long as it's not PII? No. And sure, he's only acting, so what can he do? How about: In his first days on the job, Dudek has made bold moves that are highly unusual for someone in an acting role. He has slashed the agency’s research program, restructured numerous departments, announced the hires of new political staff, and made personnel changes that include the demotion of the career senior executive who was involved in placing him on paid leave last week, according to internal personnel announcements obtained by The Washington Post.
1:52 - is that you Leland? You simply know better, but I suppose after a stint as a ACOSS and later as a "senior advisor" some right wing place will find a spot for you, given your past history makes getting a job at anyplace reputable slim and none.
Are you that naive to believe what Dudek tells you?
MAGA Dudek should have resigned ASAP!
Yeah. Stuff. Great post.
Yep, that's when you know it's bad.
You should include his headshot in every post about Dudek to remind everyone how closely his appearance (akin to the product of two Tennessee hillbilly cousins, themselves also the product of inbreeding) matches his behavior. If you ever wondered what it would be like if the Trailer Park Boys ran a federal agency, this is exactly it.
Someone needs to put his pic on Wikipedia.
EXACTLY!
Elections have consequences. SSA can't even get an RTO plan, so no surprise they're taking ages to complete "background checks" for the DOGE bros. Leland did the right thing due to SSA's malicious noncompliance with getting the background checks done. DOGE is making great changes at SSA already and rooting out corruption and fraud.
Right - because being corrupt is the best way to root out corruption. MAGA troll logic at its best. Lee is an embarrassment to SSA employees who understand that we don't have to like the rules that we follow, but we aren't here to serve our personal interests. He is unethical and has no business in his current position. But you must have some insight on the corruption and fraud the DOGE kids are rooting out? Like ending payments to the 150 year olds and vampires? Sure....
10:11 what do you think? For an elected POTUS to investigate fraud only he can view the records himself? DOGE is more than authorized and qualified to review. If they find fraud then broadcast it. If they don't then we can laugh. But for you guys to whine incessantly is a black eye for feds. Keep your mouth shut and get your work done.
I see you have the Republican talking points. Nobody is against rooting out corruption and fraud but I’m wondering why the convicted felon fired inspector generals that worked under both Democratic and Republican administrations?
Term will be limited? The Senate has not scheduled a confirmation hearing for the SSA nominee. If you follow past history, SSA has been a low priority on the hearing schedule. A lot of damage can be done beforehand. The new CIO, CDO and DOGE boys are seeing to that.
Are you new to the agency? What inspector general has done anything of value? There is a new president and you need to get used to that. President may change things as he sees fit. All these executive branch employees whining about how everything would be great if there was no democracy and no changes in executive. Too obtuse to see that is the problem.
Not everyone has access to a computer or the internet. Not everyone is capable of filing online.
A CHIEF AT THIS AGENCY DIED IN OFFICE OF A CARDIAC EMERGENCY TRYING TO PROTECT HER PEOPLE. HOW IS THIS NOT FRONT PAGE NEWS?!?!??? DIED. Please someone cover this grave injustice what are you doing?!?
“I confess. I helped DOGE understand SSA. I mailed myself publically accessible documents and explained them DOGE,” he wrote in the post, which CNN viewed. “I confess. I moved contractor money around to add data science resources to my anti-fraud team to examine Direct Deposit Fraud.”
“I confess. I bullied agency executives, shared executive contact information, and circumvented the chain of command to connect DOGE with the people who get stuff done,” he posted.
In a separate job-seeking post, Dudek told potential new employers, “I can be your ‘sherpa’, helping you navigate government, and in creating lasting relationships that get to yes.” He noted he was looking for roles in fraud and identity management, as well as cybersecurity.
Bless your heart. DOGE is completely unqualified to look at these records - they couldn't even tell what they were looking at - or they did know and lied about it. I'm confident that it was the former. But if you really think they are qualified, tell us how. I'll wait.
You don't get to say your found fraud and then hope you find it later. Give us all a break. No one wants fraud to happen, but we also don't want people to lie about it. And thank you, but I have no intention of keeping my mouth shut - trolls like you and Lee are busy spreading lies and blatant misinformation and I'm not going to roll over while it happens. You have yourself an awesome day!
The difference between the Clinton buyouts and what is occurring with Trump is the cuts are not viewed from the lens on how will this impact the government's overall mission and services that are provided with our tax dollars. Elon's cuts seem to be done without much fore thought on impact. I am a fiscally minded social conservative who holds traditional social values supports prioritizing responsible government spending, low taxes, and limited government intervention. Cuts without understanding the impact might be fine when you own your company and do not care, but we own our country and should care about our citizens.
Who ?? When ??
Lisa Rein is a first rate reporter in whom I have complete confidence.
“I like acting. It gives me more flexibility,”
She's a creeper. Slithering around whichever corner the career SES send her
Who?
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