From Mid-Level Staffer to Top of the Social Security Administration: A Remarkable Rise in Days – CNN Politics

Last week, Leland Dudek, who worked at the Social Security Administration (SSA), shared on LinkedIn that he was put on administrative leave. He mentioned that he needed help finding a new job after working with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Shortly after, he received a surprising promotion to become the acting commissioner of the SSA, a post he took over from Michelle King. She resigned amid concerns over access to sensitive records by DOGE staff. King’s departure highlights a trend of experienced officials leaving their positions due to worries about how DOGE might handle private information.

Dudek’s background includes anti-fraud efforts at the SSA since he joined in 2009. In his now-deleted LinkedIn post, he admitted to collaborating with DOGE and acknowledged he was under investigation. He explained that he provided DOGE with public documents and worked on enhancing the SSA’s anti-fraud capabilities.

While looking for a new job, Dudek branded himself as a ‘sherpa’ for navigating government processes, emphasizing his skills in fraud management and cybersecurity.

Until Frank Bisignano is confirmed by the Senate as the new SSA leader, Dudek is responsible for overseeing benefits for over 70 million Americans. His unexpected promotion shows DOGE’s growing influence on federal agencies, a development increasingly scrutinized by lawmakers and the public.

Notably, this situation has caught the attention of several senators. They have expressed concern over Dudek’s lack of executive experience and the nature of his previous collaboration with DOGE. Questions regarding the sensitive information he provided to DOGE are now at the forefront.

Concerns about DOGE accessing Social Security data, which is highly sensitive, have alarmed many. This data affects nearly all Americans, covering their Social Security accounts and Medicare details. Experts warn that such access could compromise personal information.

Dudek has stated that DOGE staff does not have the authority to make changes to agency systems. They can only read information, and there are measures in place to ensure sensitive data is protected.

He clarified some popular misconceptions, such as claims about Social Security sending benefits to deceased individuals. Dudek mentioned that some records might not have a date of death yet but stressed that being 100 years old doesn’t mean someone is still receiving payments.

Committed to transparency, Dudek has reached out to the agency’s Office of the Inspector General for oversight on his actions. He also plans to work with various stakeholders to enhance the agency’s operations.

Already, Dudek is making organizational changes to boost efficiency and prevent fraud within the SSA. He announced a restructuring that aims to streamline operations and implement solutions to address issues more effectively.

This realignment is seen as a positive step to maintain the integrity of critical Social Security programs. Dudek acknowledges that collaboration with technology experts and the community is essential to improving how the agency serves people.