White House's False Claim: Social Security Cuts and AFSCME's Fight

Controversy Surrounds White House's Social Security Actions

The White House has consistently reassured the public that Social Security remains untouched. However, recent actions suggest a different story, as critics argue that the program is being undermined to facilitate tax cuts for the wealthy.

Concerns have been raised about the current state of Social Security. These issues have sparked a timeline of significant events that highlight the program's challenges.

• In March, Elon Musk, a White House adviser, labeled Social Security as "the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time," asserting it is rife with fraud and abuse, despite its 99.7% payment accuracy rate.
• Musk also suggested eliminating entitlement programs, which are vital for many Americans who rely on Social Security to avoid poverty, as highlighted by data from the National Academy of Social Insurance.
• The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under Musk's leadership, was found to have unlawfully accessed Social Security data. This led to a court battle where AFSCME challenged DOGE and secured a temporary restraining order to protect citizen data.
• Following the legal decision, the acting commissioner of Social Security threatened to close the agency, a stance that was later rescinded after criticism from both the court and AFSCME.
• Service cuts directed by the White House are reportedly underway, with potential to increase fraud risks.
• Despite Social Security Administration staffing being at a historic low, further reductions of 7,000 workers are planned. This comes alongside the closure of six out of ten regional offices, threatening the efficiency of an already streamlined agency.
• Additional service cutbacks are making it harder for individuals to contact Social Security by phone, disproportionately affecting rural and senior citizens who might lack other means of access, as reported by NPR.

Despite assurances to the contrary, these developments indicate that Social Security is indeed being affected by current administration policies.

However, organizations like AFSCME are actively resisting these changes. They are determined to safeguard Social Security and ensure the continuation of retirement security for millions of Americans.