Larson Blasts Trump-Musk Memo to ‘Sabotage’ the Social Security Administration

East Hartford, CT – Today, House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement after an internal memo leaked outlining the Trump-Musk Administration’s plan to sabotage Social Security Administration (SSA) operations. 

“When you hear Elon Musk say Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are the Administration’s ‘key targets’ for cuts, take him at his word,” said Larson. “He called Social Security a ‘Ponzi scheme’ and Donald Trump called it a ‘scam.’ Their memo confirms they are out to gut Social Security to pay for $2 trillion in new tax breaks for the wealthiest one percent. By requiring seniors and disabled Americans to enroll online or in person at the same field offices they are trying to close, rather than over the phone, Trump and Musk are trying to create chaos and inefficiencies at SSA so they can privatize the system. We must bring them before the Ways and Means Committee to provide answers for the American people, but our Republican colleagues are protecting them from even having to turn over documents to the United States Congress. Democrats will continue the fight to protect Social Security from Trump and Musk’s ‘DOGE’ axe. Will any Republicans join us to stand up for the 70 million Americans who rely on their earned benefits to make ends meet, or will they continue to stand with the billionaires?” 

Today, an internal memo outlining the Social Security Administration’s plans was leaked to Popular Information. It would require anyone who is attempting to enroll in benefits over the phone to either confirm their identity online or go into a field office, which would mean a 14% weekly increase in office traffic. Under the direction of Trump-Musk, SSA has already begun implementing a plan to consolidate regional offices and cut staff.