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- DOGE has been accused of misusing Social Security data to push narratives of voter fraud involving noncitizens.
- Court records indicate that DOGE may not have had the legal right to access this sensitive data.
- The allegations highlight significant concerns over data privacy and the potential for misinformation.
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Essential Context
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been at the center of a controversy involving the misuse of Social Security data. DOGE has claimed to have found evidence of noncitizens voting, but these claims are based on data that court records suggest they should not have accessed.
Core Players
- Elon Musk – Founder of DOGE and a key figure in the Trump administration’s efforts to streamline government operations.
- Antonio Gracias – A longtime friend of Elon Musk and a DOGE employee involved in accessing Social Security data.
- Social Security Administration (SSA) – The agency whose data has been at the center of the controversy.
- Federal Judges – Including U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander, who has ruled on the legality of DOGE’s data access.
Key Numbers
- 5 million – The number of non-citizens allegedly issued Social Security numbers between 2021 and 2025, according to DOGE claims.
- $72 billion – The amount of improper payments in Social Security from 2015 to 2022, mostly due to overpayments and errors.
- 1% – The percentage of Social Security benefit payments that are improper, according to credible independent sources.
- 14 – The number of lawsuits alleging violations of federal privacy protections by DOGE across multiple agencies.
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The Catalyst
The controversy began when DOGE claimed to have discovered millions of non-citizens with Social Security numbers, suggesting this as evidence of widespread voter fraud. However, these claims are based on data that court records indicate DOGE may not have had the legal right to access.
“The DOGE Team is essentially engaged in a fishing expedition at SSA, in search of a fraud epidemic, based on little more than suspicion,” U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander wrote in her ruling.
Inside Forces
DOGE’s actions within the Social Security Administration have been described as a “hostile takeover” by former officials. The team, which includes inexperienced and improperly vetted members, has been granted access to sensitive data despite significant opposition from agency employees and legal challenges.
The access to data was facilitated by an executive order issued by President Trump, directing federal agencies to provide full and prompt access to unclassified data to identify and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.
Power Dynamics
The Trump administration, through DOGE, has significant influence over the Social Security Administration. This influence has led to the ousting of several high-ranking officials who resisted DOGE’s incursions. Leland Dudek, the current acting commissioner, has been supportive of DOGE’s efforts.
However, this power dynamic is contested by various stakeholders, including labor unions and retirees, who have filed lawsuits to limit DOGE’s access to sensitive data.
Outside Impact
The broader implications of DOGE’s actions include heightened concerns over data privacy and the potential for misinformation. The misuse of Social Security data could lead to increased risks of fraud and identity theft, as well as undermine public trust in government agencies.
Retiree advocates have also warned that the new identity verification measures imposed by the SSA, partly driven by DOGE’s efforts, will negatively impact older Americans, especially those in rural areas with limited access to SSA offices.
Future Forces
Looking ahead, the legal battles surrounding DOGE’s access to Social Security data are likely to continue. Federal judges have already issued temporary restraining orders limiting DOGE’s access, and multiple lawsuits are ongoing.
The long-term impact on Social Security and other government programs will depend on the outcome of these legal challenges and the continued push for transparency and accountability in data use.
Data Points
- March 20, 2025: President Trump issues an executive order directing federal agencies to grant full and prompt access to unclassified data.
- March 20, 2025: A federal judge temporarily blocks DOGE from accessing Americans’ personal Social Security data.
- April 4, 2025: Musk and DOGE display a chart claiming over 5 million non-citizens were issued Social Security numbers between 2021 and 2025.
- April 11, 2025: Continued legal and public scrutiny over DOGE’s use of Social Security data.
The controversy surrounding DOGE’s use of Social Security data underscores critical issues of data privacy, the potential for misinformation, and the ongoing struggle for transparency and accountability in government operations.
