White House makes Major Announcement After Top Official Abruptly Quits

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A high-ranking official within the Social Security Administration has resigned amid ongoing efforts by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to overhaul federal bureaucracy and reduce wasteful spending. Michelle King, who had served as acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration for three decades and oversaw benefits for approximately 73 million retirees and disabled individuals, abruptly stepped down. The White House confirmed her departure, as first reported by USA Today.

In her place, President Trump has appointed Leland Dudek, formerly the head of Social Security’s anti-fraud division, as the acting commissioner. Meanwhile, Frank Bisignano, president and CEO of Fiserv, has been nominated by Trump to take over the agency permanently, pending Senate confirmation.

The administration’s decision was defended by White House spokesman Harrison Fields, who stated that Frank Bisignano, described as highly qualified and talented, had been nominated by President Trump to lead the Social Security Administration, with expectations for a swift confirmation in the coming weeks. It was further mentioned by Fields that President Trump’s commitment lay in appointing the most qualified individuals dedicated to serving the American people rather than catering to a bureaucracy that had long failed them.

DOGE’s expansion into various federal agencies has been met with resistance as it seeks to cut spending and dismantle inefficiencies. This latest conflict arose when DOGE sought access to certain Social Security records as part of its fraud detection initiatives. Reports indicate that the department has also been seeking direct access to IRS computer systems, which store sensitive taxpayer information.

Dudek, now leading the agency, has openly expressed support for DOGE’s efforts, frequently praising its initiatives to eliminate government waste and root out fraudulent activities. Elon Musk has repeatedly pointed to systemic fraud within the Social Security Administration, alleging that payments have been sent to deceased individuals, some reportedly listed as being over 150 years old.

Amid these developments, President Trump’s approval ratings have remained strong, defying expectations and solidifying public confidence in his leadership. Newsweek reports that Trump continues to hold positive net approval ratings, even as some polls claim his favorability has declined since his return to office.

A recent SurveyUSA poll of 2,000 adults found that a majority—51 percent—approve of Trump’s job performance, with 45 percent disapproving, resulting in a net approval score of +6 points. Trump’s support is notably higher in rural regions, where 59 percent express approval, compared to 48 percent in suburban areas and 51 percent in urban centers. The poll, conducted between February 13 and 16, has a margin of error of ±2.6 percentage points.

A Morning Consult poll released on Tuesday indicated that Trump’s presidency was approved by 50 percent of voters, while 47 percent expressed disapproval. It was noted by U.S. politics analyst Eli Yokley that the president’s approval rating had stabilized after three consecutive weeks of decline. It was further reported to Newsweek that voters were slightly more likely to approve than disapprove of Trump’s job performance, with figures standing at 50% to 47%.

Furthermore, it was found in a Republican-aligned poll conducted by Scott Rasmussen and RMG Research for Napolitan News that Trump’s approval rating stands at 55 percent, while disapproval is at 43 percent, resulting in a net approval score of +12 points. Since his return to the White House on January 20, his approval has consistently been recorded above 50 percent, reaching a peak of 57 percent during his inauguration week.

The Neapolitan News survey, conducted between February 10 and 14 among 3,000 registered voters, had a margin of error of ±1.8 percentage points. As Trump’s administration pushes forward with its reform agenda, opposition from entrenched bureaucratic interests is expected. However, with continued strong public support, efforts to streamline the federal government and eliminate inefficiencies are likely to proceed.

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