The Trump administration has threatened to shut down the Social Security Administration (SSA) following a court ruling that prevents Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing millions of Americans’ personal data.
Interim Social Security chief Lee Dudek, a close collaborator with DOGE, warned that if Musk’s team remains blocked, the SSA may have to suspend operations.
Dudek stated that DOGE affiliates would be integral to his anti-fraud and IT teams, emphasizing that he would comply fully with the judge’s order, even if it meant revoking SSA employees’ access to IT systems. He expressed frustration, suggesting that shutting down operations would force the courts to determine how to manage the agency.
The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander, temporarily restrains DOGE from obtaining the data, arguing that the agency has not provided a valid justification for the request. She described the effort as a “fishing expedition” and ordered Musk’s team to destroy any sensitive records already accessed.
DOGE has been leading an aggressive government spending overhaul since January 20, aiming to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion. However, the judge criticized the lack of concrete evidence supporting the need for SSA data access, likening the search to looking for a “needle in a haystack” without proof that the needle exists. The restraining order is set for 14 days but may be extended.
The White House condemned the ruling, with Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields accusing a “radical leftist judge” of obstructing the administration’s efforts to eliminate government waste, fraud, and abuse. He emphasized that Trump would pursue all legal avenues to implement his efficiency agenda.
