The head of President Donald Trump of the Social Security Administration (SSA), Frank Bisignano, admitted in a town hall with agencies managers this week that was not looking for a job at that time and had sought on Google to know what the position implies exactly.
Newsweek Communicated with the SSA through the online form and the White House by email on Thursday night to comment.
Why does it matter
Millions of Americans defend social security payments for disability income and their retirement benefits.
While in the campaign before the 2024 presidential elections, Trump promised not to reduce social security. Since assuming the position, the SSA has had adjustments to the agency mainly through the Government Efficiency Department (Doge).
Doge had the task of reducing waste in the federal budget, while under the reins of billionaire Elon Musk.
What to know
According to an ABC News report on Thursday, Bisignano told the Social Security brass duration the meeting that the sacrifice to become a commissioner of the agency pushed him to play Internet detective.
“Then, I receive a phone call and it is social security. And really, I am not really, I swear I am not looking for work,” said Bisignano, ABC News reports, citing an audio clip obtained. “And I say:” Well, what am I going to do? “So, I am looking for Google Social Security.
“Put that as the head of the Mail: ‘Great Googler, Googler in Chief. Chief in Googler “or whatever,” Bisignano said in a clip published in ABC News social networks, while he added that he likes to “have fun at work.”
“I am like,” what is the Social Security Commissioner? “
Bisignano swore in this month as commissioner of the SSA and previously served since 2020 as president of FISVer, a financial technology firm, reports The Associated Press (AP). He has also described himself as “a fundamental person of Dogle”, but said he did not want to reduce the benefits of social security, according to the AP.
“This is the United States Security Network, you know, it will not go. And I hope you hear me say this every day,” Bisignano said, according to ABC News. “Do you know who I would be to tell people that? I guess. The president.”
The reports sliced in February that the SSA workforce was expected to be reduced by half together with the performance of security controls in person for claims presented by telephone and those with fraud risk indicators.
Bisignano said that SSA must also develop a “first digital” attitude, since “you are competing with experiences that people have with Amazon, right? If you could do something on Amazon, why can’t I do something in the same way with social security? This is how people think,” reports ABC News.
What people say
A Social Security official, A ABC News, in part: “Hey [Bisignano] You are visiting offices and meet employees to listen to your ideas about how the agency can better serve the customer in person, by phone and online. “
The official added: “As the commissioner evaluates the agency, it has been clear that SSA will have the right personnel to offer Americans their benefits won with so much effort.”
Continuing, the official said: “Clearly, the Bisignano commissioner was making fun of himself so that everyone in the room felt comfortable having an open conversation about the improvement of the service for the US people.”
Liz Huston, Secretary of the White House Assistant, A ABC News: “The Bisignano Commissioner provides a valuable and very necessary perspective to the Social Security Administration.
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren or Massachusetts published on X, previously Twitter on Thursday: “What the hell is the Social Security Commissioner?” That is a real question by Frank Bisignano … the Social Security Commissioner.
Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell or Washington, in X last month: “I am voting not about Frank Bisignano, the administration candidate to direct social security administration. He has made a name for himself in business reducing and burning to find efficiencies. Social Security is not a place to cut and burn. It is a contract with the US people.”
What happens later
ABC News reports that Bisignano also does not have “Rif people, okay? Because that is the big question.” Rif means strength reduction.
