The two maintain that they won’t attack the program, but their repeated claims of rampant fraud serve a strategic purpose.

Since being inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2025, Trump has signed an executive order that directs government agencies to reduce their staff and cut costs. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is expected to reduce its staff by 7,000 workers to 50,000, as well as shutter some of its locations.

DOGE making sweeping cuts at the Social Security Administration “would be catastrophic for the people in our country,” the acting head of the agency reportedly said.