Michelle King, the acting commissioner of the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA), resigned after refusing to grant the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to sensitive SSA records. DOGE, led by Elon Musk, sought this information as part of an initiative to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government. King, a veteran SSA employee, was succeeded by Leland Dudek, who supports DOGE's efforts. President Trump's nominee, Frank Bisignano, awaits Senate confirmation to lead the SSA. 

The SSA manages extensive personal data, including Social Security numbers, work histories, banking information, and medical records for disability applicants. Critics argue that granting DOGE access to such sensitive information could compromise privacy and security. The White House emphasized President Trump's commitment to appointing leaders dedicated to serving the public and addressing bureaucratic inefficiencies. 

This incident is part of a broader trend of federal officials resigning or being dismissed after clashing with DOGE over access to sensitive data. For instance, David Lebryk, a top U.S. Treasury official, was placed on administrative leave after opposing DOGE's access to the federal payment system. These developments highlight tensions between DOGE's aggressive approach and federal officials' efforts to protect their agencies' integrity.