President Trump’s administration intentionally made a mess of Social Security operations in Maine as part of an unrelated feud with the state’s governor, according to emails released Wednesday.
Trump’s pick to lead the Social Security Administration, Leland Dudek, briefly canceled longstanding contracts in the state in March. The contracts allowed parents to obtain Social Security Numbers for children at birth and verified deaths through an electronic system.
Afterward, Dudek claimed the cancellation was simply a mistake and that he was “not interested in political retaliation.” But internal emails tell a different story.
Dudek emailed his staff on Feb. 27 regarding any SSA contracts with Maine. He was told later that day that “terminating the contracts would result in improper payments and potential for identity theft,” according to emails obtained by Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.).
“Please cancel the contracts. While our improper payments will go up, and fraudsters may compromise identities, no money will go from the public trust to a petulant child,” Dudek responded, referring to Maine Gov. Janet Mills.
Days earlier, Mills had publicly clashed with Trump over rights for transgender women and girls. Trump threatened to pull federal funding from the state, and a legal battle is ongoing.
Both programs that Dudek stopped have been used daily throughout the country for decades, and he quickly reversed the decision after public outcry and pressure from lawmakers.
