(The Center Square) – There is now a Social Security War Room, and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly is one of the Democrats behind its launch.
The stated purpose for the war room is to “fight back against the Trump administration’s attack” on Social Security.
U.S. Sens. Kelly; Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts; Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, and Raphael Warnock, D-Georgia, state in a press release that the Trump administration has “gutted the Social Security Administration” with the help of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency.
“President Trump said he wouldn’t cut Social Security, but he and Elon Musk are firing people and making it harder for Americans to get their benefits,” said Kelly in a press release. “I’m focused on hearing from Arizonans about how this is impacting them and sharing their stories.”
Musk, who is battling a lawsuit over Social Security cuts, said in March that he and the Trump administration are “not going to cut Social Security benefits.” NBC News ran a story on March 23.
President Trump has made similar statements, adding “the press is lying again” when it comes to coverage of job cuts and related issues. A White House Fact Check also states that the targets for cuts are “waste and fraud in entitlement spending.”
According to the White House, the Social Security Administration alone made an estimated $72 billion in improper payments between 2015 and 2022.
Still, Kelly and others said the Trump/Musk/DOGE efforts have created chaos and threatened the benefits of Americans.
“Last month, the Social Security Administration announced plans to cut about 7,000 employees, or about 12 percent of its workforce,” said the senators. “It has also tried to significantly limit Americans’ access to services by shutting down regional offices, requiring in-person identity checks for new and existing beneficiaries, and forcing Americans to change direct deposit and other banking information online in person instead of by phone, posing a challenge to many seniors who rely on benefits.”
Plans for the War Room include assisting Senate Democrats with messaging and encouraging grassroots engagement.
The Center Square couldn’t reach Kelly and Arizona Republicans for additional comments.
