Ex-Social Security Boss Sounds Alarm: DOGE Will Delay Checks in ‘Very Near Future'

Former Social Security Commissioner Martin O'Malley doubled down on his warning that beneficiaries could stop receiving payments because of the destruction wrought by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
'I truly believe there's going to be some interruption of benefits for some period of time, and I believe that will probably happen in the very near future,' O'Malley said at a Social Security town hall in Nassau County on Monday, according to the Long Island Press.
'I've never hoped I was wrong so much in my life,' he added.
In March, O'Malley—who served as the agency's commissioner under former President Joe Biden—predicted interruptions to Social Security payments 'within the next 30 to 90 days.'
'Ultimately, you're going to see the system collapse, and there will be an interruption of benefits,' he told CNBC.
Earlier this month, O'Malley sounded the alarm again, telling the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee that 'the Trump co-presidency is gutting this agency.'
Under Musk's direction, DOGE has pushed for sweeping cuts at the Social Security Administration (SSA), announcing in February that it would slash 7,000 jobs—including half of the agency's technology team—because of 'bloat.'
The changes have thrown SSA into chaos. The SSA website crashed several times this month, and 47 field offices across the country have been slated for closure. The SSA threatened to cut phone services before reversing course amid backlash.
Reps. Laura Gillen and Tom Suozzi, both Democrats from New York, joined O'Malley at Monday's town hall.
'Why would you cut 7,000 employees to save 0.06 percent of the budget from one of the most important agencies?' Suozzi asked.
According to the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute, administrative costs account for less than 1 percent of the SSA's spending.
'It doesn't make any sense,' Suozzi said.
The Long Island Press said that more than 200 constituents attended the town hall. Many voiced fears about their benefits and retirement security as well as the state of the economy.
'I would not normally come to a forum like this,' Trish Burr-Peters, 71, said. 'I'm also here because I want Gillen and Suozzi to know that people really do care, and, if they needed us to do something, I would do it. What's happening now is nothing to ignore.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

USA Today

an hour ago

• USA Today

Trump was right to bomb Iran. Even Democrats will be safer because of it.

The fact that progressives can't give President Trump this win − a win that will give us a safer world − is yet another indicator of why the Democratic Party continues to devolve into irrelevance. While the Middle East slept early on June 22, the Islamic Republic of Iran discovered that the Trump administration's diplomatic efforts have an end date. With a planned and precise show of controlled force, the U.S. military "obliterated" three of Iran's major nuclear sites. In a June 22 news conference, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, dispelled any notion that the strike on Iran was ad hoc or done to goad Iran into a full-blown war with the United States. "The order we received from our commander in chief was focused, it was powerful and it was clear," Hegseth said. "We devastated the Iranian nuclear program." That is good news for the United States and its allies. The fact that progressives can't give President Donald Trump this win − a win that will give us a safer, more stable world − is yet another indicator of why the Democratic Party continues to devolve into irrelevance. With 'Operation Midnight Hammer,' Trump sent Iran a message Trump is already receiving extraordinary criticism for this attack on Iran. Democrats like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York have called for his impeachment because Trump, like other presidents before him, launched the attack without congressional approval. Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine said Trump's decision displayed "horrible judgment." Yet, there is ample precedent of presidents, including Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, ordering targeted military strikes without prior congressional approval under the War Powers Act. Did Congress approve Iran bombing? AOC howls about impeaching Trump. But president had the authority to bomb Iran. | Opinion Reactionary and partisan criticism from the left detracts from the success of this mission, which anyone, regardless of party affiliation, should appreciate. It appears that Operation Midnight Hammer was an incredible show of the U.S. military's strength and precision. "The scope and scale of what occurred last night would take the breath away of almost any American if you had an opportunity to watch it in real time," Hegseth said June 22 at the Pentagon. He noted that America's B-2 Spirit stealth bombers "went in and out ... without the world knowing at all. In that way it was historic." Iran's nuclear capabilities were a threat Concerns about retaliation from Iran are serious, of course, and U.S. forces are braced for it. But the threat of Iran, a country that has long bankrolled terrorism in the Middle East and around the world, building nuclear weapons shouldn't be minimized. That fact has nothing do with political ideology or partisan politics. Hegseth reminded reporters the morning after the attack that Trump was "fully committed to the peace process" and gave Iran "plenty of time to continue to come to the table and give up enrichment" of nuclear materials. Iran has a long history of attacking Americans, including holding more than 50 U.S. Embassy workers hostage in 1979 for more than a year. It's accused of bankrolling the 1983 bombing of the Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed 241 American service members. Now, the Iranian regime has orchestrated attacks against American interests and allies through its terrorist proxies. Opinion: Trump must back Israel against Iran. 'Kooky' Carlson is wrong about nuclear threat. Despite these facts, it seems that liberals hate Trump so much that they are loathe to acknowledge that this president has now done what other presidents have done − act boldly to protect our nation and its citizens. Trump is a different president in many ways than any who have come before him. But like other presidents, he has shown he will do what is needed to protect America and our allies and to secure long-term peace. For that, all Americans should be thankful. Nicole Russell is an opinion columnist with USA TODAY. She lives in Texas with her four kids. Sign up for her newsletter, The Right Track, and get it delivered to your inbox.

Newsweek

an hour ago

• Newsweek

Video of Bernie Sanders Reacting to Trump's Iran Strike Live Goes Viral

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. A video of progressive Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, reacting live at a rally to the news that President Donald Trump had carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites has gone viral on social media. Sanders posted the clip from his "Fight Oligarchy" tour on X, formerly Twitter, late on Saturday. "I learned about Trump's unconstitutional attack on Iran at a large rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Here is the response," the senator, who caucuses with Democrats, wrote. As of the time of writing on Sunday afternoon, the video has been viewed more than 5 million times. It has been reposted by 20,000 X users and liked by 101,000. Why It Matters The progressive lawmaker's response came after the U.S. carried out attacks targeting three nuclear sites across Iran—at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Trump described the operation as a "very successful attack" and has now called for "peace," while Iran has said it will retaliate. Trump's decision came after Israel and Iran have exchanged consistent strikes since June 13. Israel had urged the U.S. to target Iran's nuclear facilities, saying that Tehran was moving close to creating a nuclear weapon. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for civilian, not military, purposes. The strikes have sparked concerns from some Democrats and some Republicans about a wider war breaking out—with some lawmakers accusing the president of violating the U.S. Constitution with the strikes. Smoke rises as a location targeted by Israel is ablaze in Tehran amid the third day of Israel's waves of strikes against Iran on June 15. Inset: Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, is seen... Smoke rises as a location targeted by Israel is ablaze in Tehran amid the third day of Israel's waves of strikes against Iran on June 15. Inset: Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, is seen on May 14 in Washington, D.C. More Khoshiran/Middle East Images via AFP/What to Know In the 1-minute and 13-second clip, Sanders reads Trump's statement on the Iran strikes to the crowd of rally attendees. Immediately, a loud chorus of boos can be heard from the crowd, demonstrating the attendees' displeasure with the news. The crowd then begins to chant "no more war," with Sanders nodding in agreement. The camera pans out, showing the animated audience raising their fists in the air as they chant, with an American flag visible and being waved by at least one rally goer. "I agree," the senator eventually responds, after allowing the chorus of chants to continue for several seconds. "And I want to tell you something, not only is this news, that I've just is so grossly unconstitutional," he said. "All of you know that the only entity that can take this country to war is the U.S. Congress. The president does not have the right," Sanders said. His remarks drew a large cheer from the crowd. Last week, in anticipation of a strike on Iran, Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, and Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, introduced a War Powers Resolution in a bid to curb the president from escalating the conflict with Iran. After the attack was announced, Massie was quick to respond on X, writing on Saturday: "This is not constitutional." I learned about Trump's unconstitutional attack on Iran at a large rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Here is the response: — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 22, 2025 What To Know About U.S. Bombing Iran The U.S. struck Fordow, roughly 60 miles south of Tehran, as well as the Natanz complex to the southeast and Isfahan, southwest of Natanz, Trump said. The president hailed the attacks as a "spectacular military success," adding: "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated." Experts said it was too early to tell exactly how much damage has been done to Iran's network of nuclear sites. U.S. Air Force General Dan Caine, the chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff, said on Sunday morning that initial assessments of the operation dubbed "Midnight Hammer" indicated "all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction," but analysis was ongoing. Israel continued attacking Iran into Sunday, and Tehran launched fresh strikes on several Israeli cities. Ash from airstrikes covers much of the area, and several of the entrances to Fordow's tunnel network appear to be blocked with dirt, Maxar, an American space technology company, said. Images separately published by Planet Labs on Sunday also showed ash covering the area around Fordow. Fordow is built under a mountain, a facility that was secret until 2009 and Israel has been unable to destroy it with its weapons. While Israel has carried out strikes on Iran's nuclear sites—including Natanz and Isfahan—since it started its campaign over a week ago, the U.S. is considered the only country able to reach the deeply buried sites like Fordow using B-2 bombers and "bunker buster" bombs. These huge bombs had never been used before in combat. What People Are Saying Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat said in a statement emailed to Newsweek on Sunday: "Stopping Iran from having a nuclear bomb is a top priority, but dragging the U.S. into another Middle East war is not the solution. Trump's strikes are unconstitutional and put Americans, especially our troops, at risk. Congress needs to come back to DC immediately to vote on Rep. Thomas Massie and my bipartisan War Powers Resolution to ensure there is no further conflict and escalation." President Donald Trump on Truth Social on Saturday evening: "ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT. THANK YOU!" Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on X on Sunday: "The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran's peaceful nuclear installations. The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior. In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people." Vice President JD Vance to NBC News' Meet the Press on Sunday: "We're not at war with Iran. We're at war with Iran's nuclear operation was really extraordinary. These guys flew from Missouri. They didn't land a single time. They dropped 30,000-pound bombs on a target the size of a washing machine and then got back home safely without ever landing in the Middle East or ever stopping other than to briefly refuel." Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, on X on Sunday: "When two countries are bombing each other daily in a hot war, and a third country joins the bombing, that's an act of war. I'm amazed at the mental gymnastics being undertaken by neocons in DC (and their social media bots) to say we aren't at war... so they can make war." What Happens Next? Iran's foreign minister said after the attack that his country reserves "all options to defend its sovereignty." The U.S. military is preemptively preparing for any attack from Tehran in response. It's unclear whether the War Powers Resolution sponsored by Khanna and Massie, which aims to curb Trump's ability to take military action against Iran, has the support to move forward in the House. However, with Republican control of both chambers, it is not widely expected to succeed.

New York Post

2 hours ago

• New York Post

Bill Clinton endorses former top aide Cuomo for NYC mayor

Ex-President Bill Clinton on Sunday endorsed his former Housing secretary Andrew Cuomo in the Big Apple's mayoral primary, describing the city as in 'crisis'' and his pal as a 'competent leader.' In a robocall released by Cuomo's campaign, the Democratic former commander in chief urged New Yorkers to back the ex-governor in the Tuesday's Dem showdown. 3 Former President Bill Clinton formally endorsed his previous HUD secretary, Andrew Cuomo, for New York City mayor in a robocall to voters. Paul Martinka Advertisement 'The election will decide the next mayor of New York, and I urge you to vote for Andrew Cuomo,' Clinton said in the recorded message. 'As president, I chose Andrew to be my secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and he never let me down.' Clinton, 78 — who lives in tony Chappaqua in Westchester County — noted that Cuomo worked in his presidential administration on such issues as affordable housing and helping to stave off hate, including 'discrimination, including against the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and antisemitism,' he said. The ex-president said Cuomo can fix what he called a city in 'crisis. Advertisement 'New York City is facing major challenges. There is a desperate need for affordable housing, homelessness is at a crisis level, and public safety must be restored,' Clinton said. 'It is imperative that New York chooses a mayor who has the ability, talent, and experience to do the job. 'He's a fighter who knows how to make government work, and at a time when our basic rights are under assault, I know he'll stand up and protect the people of this city,' he said of Cuomo, adding his Dem buddy has the ability to raise the 'progressive standard.' 3 Clinton expressed his confidence that Cuomo could lead a city in 'crisis.' Matthew McDermott Advertisement Cuomo, 67, responded to the endorsement with gratitude. 'I am honored to have the support of President Bill Clinton — a personal mentor, friend, and hero. His administration was one of the most accomplished in modern political history,' Cuomo said in the message. Cuomo, who resigned in disgrace as governor in 2021 amid a slew of sexual-harassment allegations, is aiming for a political resurrection in his mayoral comeback bid. Cuomo has vehemently any accusation of wrongdoing. Clinton similarly had a presidency rocked by scandal. Advertisement His Oval Office affair with then-22-year-old intern Monica Lewinsky led him to be impeached by the House for perjury and obstruction of justice — though he was acquitted by the Senate and never resigned. 3 The two Democrats have had political careers rocked by scandal. Richard Harbus Clinton's endorsement of Cuomo comes just two days before the city's Tuesday primary. Democratic kingmaker and 84-year-old South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn endorsed Cuomo on Friday — as surging socialist contender Zohran Mamdani's campaign garnered a mix of fresh condemnation and support. In the city's ranked-choice voting contest, Cuomo currently prevails 55% to 45% against Mamdani in a potential seventh round, according to a recent Marist College Institute for Public Opinion survey. The poll indicated a big drop from a Marist poll conducted in May, when Cuomo led Mamdani 60% to 40% after all the other candidates were eliminated and second preference votes transferred to the two finalists.