A Sudden Departure After Rising Conflict

Sources familiar with the situation say King’s decision came after DOGE officials requested internal access to SSA data systems as part of their ongoing review of government inefficiency and fraud. The request reportedly included inquiries into payment records and administrative operations, which SSA leadership viewed as an overreach into citizens’ privacy.

“Elon Musk’s efficiency team was demanding direct access to highly sensitive Social Security information,” said a senior federal official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “That was the breaking point for Michelle King.”

The White House quickly confirmed that President Trump had accepted King’s resignation and appointed Leland Dudek, the agency’s anti-fraud chief, as