1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

President Trump's appointment of Leland Dudek, a mid-level employee with little executive experience, as the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration raises significant concerns. According to reports, Dudek had been placed on administrative leave for improperly sharing sensitive information with DOGE representatives led by Elon Musk. His promotion appears to be a striking example of DOGE's undue influence over the federal government, circumventing proper legislative oversight and checks and balances. Dudek's own statements on LinkedIn acknowledge his cooperation with DOGE, boasting about bullying executives and circumventing the chain of command to connect DOGE with agency personnel. This brazen disregard for protocol is deeply troubling, especially given the highly sensitive personal data held by the Social Security Administration on virtually all Americans. While Dudek claims DOGE cannot directly access or modify this data, his elevation to lead the agency responsible for managing Americans' retirement and disability benefits is a alarming development. His stated intention to reorganize the agency to identify "fraud, waste and abuse" in alignment with DOGE's aims is also concerning, as it could enable the politicization of the agency's operations. I urge you to investigate Leland Dudek's background and actions thoroughly. His appointment appears to prioritize an ideological agenda over ensuring the Social Security Administration functions effectively and protects Americans' private information. Proper oversight and adherence to long-standing processes are crucial to maintaining public trust in this vital government agency.