Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has joined 21 other state attorneys general in filing an amicus brief to support an injunction aiming to prevent alleged mismanagement at the Social Security Administration (SSA). Concerns have been raised over actions by acting administrator Leland Dudek and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which are accused of causing potential disruptions in critical services that millions depend on.
The amicus brief is in support of the plaintiffs in a case against Dudek, claiming that staff reductions and restructuring have resulted in delays in benefits and inadequate service provision for individuals with disabilities, violating section 504(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Administrative Procedure Act, and several constitutional amendments.
Attorney General Ellison stated, "You can’t afford your life or live with dignity, safety, and respect when an unelected billionaire and his tech bros yank your hard-earned Social Security out from under you on the basis of lies." The attorney general emphasized the essential role of Social Security and committed to protecting it for the 1.1 million Minnesotans and 69 million Americans relying on these benefits.
As the SSA and DOGE implement what has been described as a hasty approach, concerns are growing over inconsistent decision-making and staff layoffs. There have been reports of significant disruptions, including unexpected changes in announcements and office closure lists, a lack of effective justification for these actions, and reliance on supposed misinformation about fraud within the SSA.
Among the criticisms are claims by prominent figures including Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Musk has described the SSA's payouts as a "Ponzi scheme" and erroneously stated that $100 billion is lost annually to improper payments. Trump has similarly made incorrect claims regarding the number of centenarians receiving benefits. The SSA's Inspector General’s Office reports that less than 1 percent of payments have been improper, primarily due to clerical mistakes rather than fraudulent claims.
Reductions in staff are reportedly compounding issues within Social Security without enhancing efficiency. Notably, around 2,800 employees have accepted retirement or early buyout offers, with further reductions anticipated. Employee losses have resulted in longer waits at branch offices, extended phone hold times, and website instabilities, further burdening beneficiaries who rely on these services.
For a substantial number of Americans, Social Security provides not just retirement income but a means to afford essential services such as food, housing, and healthcare. It also serves as a gateway to other benefits and safety net programs like Medicaid and Medicare. A survey indicated that 42% of those aged 65 and older would struggle to cover basic expenses without Social Security. Many in this age group depend on Social Security for a significant portion of their income.
The coalition of attorneys general, led by Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, includes representatives from Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.