They know EXACTLY what they’re doing.
And the parallels tell you everything.
But this time, the targets are millions of Social Security recipients, as opposed to Americans they don’t want to vote.
The Model: Voter Suppression Through 1,000 Cuts
As I wrote a few weeks back, the danger of the SAVE Act is that it removes the easiest and most common ways that Americans register to vote—such as online and third-party registration. In doing so, it adds costs and burdens to registering—such as long lines, overwhelmed and understaffed in-person offices (where registration will now need to take place), transportation, other added costs, and confusion.
Data makes it plain that those costs and burdens (including lacking the ID that would now be required to register) are disproportionately shouldered by certain demographic groups—women, voters of color, seniors, young voters, and Americans in poverty.
As a result, the math is very clear and predictable: the new burdens mean that millions of voters will end up not being registered, and those who fall off the rolls will be disproportionately represented by the groups above.
In states like Ohio, they’ve pulled the same maneuver when it comes to drop boxes and early in-person voting locations—limited to one location for county. These limitations are designed to create long lines, long waits, long drives and transportation challenges. And, in the end, they combine to reduce participation—of certain groups.
It’s all intentional, but they don’t want to come out and say it (although they do it behind closed doors). Instead, they justify these suppressive measures on the disproven myth of widespread voter fraud.
Cynical as hell, right?
Doing the Same for Social Security
Well, now Musk, DOGE and Trump are doing the exact same thing when it comes to Social Security. (There’s lots of talk of cutting benefits. But I’m not even addressing the level of benefits at this point.)
These cynical extremists are now whipping out the same suppression tools and tactics they use for voters, and they’re using them against Social Security beneficiaries—again dishonestly framed as an effort to combat unproven fraud.
Just look at the specifics of the changes they’ve already rammed through, or will ram through in the near future. See if they sound familiar:
They are adding stringent identification procedures, applying the changes to new Social Security applications and existing recipients who want to change their banking information: “The new requirements will impact anyone who needs to verify their bank information with the agency, as well as families with children who receive Social Security benefits and cannot verify a child's information on the SSA website.”
Specifically, as with the SAVE Act, they are closing off some of the easiest and most convenient ways for people to access benefits and make changes to how they receive benefits—including ending telephonic requests and services. While online services will remain available, those who can’t access such services must receive them in person
The Alliance for Retired Americans states “that surveys consistently show that millions of seniors lack reliable internet access, either due to the absence of broadband service or because they do not own a computer or smartphone,” leaving in-person service as the only option
As Popular Information (a phenomenal newsletter you should subscribe to) wrote: “Because the SSA serves a large population that is either older or physically disabled, many cannot access the internet. Under the new system, this would force these populations to visit an office to have their claim processed. [An internal] memo estimates it would require 75,000 to 85,000 in-person visitors per week to SSA's offices to implement the policy”—a 14% surge from the current number of in-person visitors
At the same time, DOGE is closing offices in countless places—the AP identified 47 such offices in states across the country, many in rural parts of states. 26 of these will close this year—some in the coming weeks. And at least seven offices are ending in-person services. Of course, the same remote offices being shuttered are also more likely to be in areas without broadband or online service or access. Seniors in these areas will have to travel long distances for in-person meetings. One North Carolina beneficiary—who receives Social Security due to a disability—told ProPublica that if his local office closes, the next closest office is 100 miles away: “It would be a nightmare for all of us.”
Then, add to this increased demand for in-person services another wrench: DOGE has already laid off thousands of Social Security employees—and plans to lay off 7,000 total; from what is already a 50-year low of 57,000 SSA jobs
The result, already being experienced by some, will be massive delays in service: and “will result in more headaches and longer wait times to resolve routine customer service needs." According to Popular Information, “SSA offices no longer accept walk-ins and the wait time for an appointment, even before these changes, averaged over a month.”
Those who represent seniors and social security recipients see what is happening very clearly:
The Alliance for Retired Americans called out the “unnecessary hardships” being placed on retirees seeking to claim their benefits:
“In just two weeks, the SSA will force millions of elderly and disabled Americans to either visit understaffed and closing field offices or navigate an online-only system to access the benefits they have earned….They claim this move will reduce fraud—yet they have provided no evidence to support this assertion…Our members are outraged, and we are calling on Congress to act immediately to rein in Musk and protect Social Security for the millions of Americans who rely on it.”
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear warned that "some of our oldest Kentuckians, who are living on a fixed income, who don't have the resources to travel, have to travel hours to get basic questions answered….Why? Because they don't want them to do it, and they want to be able to kick them off. It's not right…These are people who qualify and the federal government has an obligation to have enough offices, call-in or other resources to ultimately process the applications that are out there and answer the questions that people have.”
Governor Beshear is right. Just like the goal of voter suppression laws is to reduce voting, the goal here is to reduce those who access Social Security. And that will absolutely be the effect of these heartless tactics.
Take Action
Let’s get the word out. Let’s fight back.
How?
Put together a list of all the seniors and others we know who care about and/or rely on Social Security. Concentrate on those who live in the district of a Republican House member—or in the state Senator.
Then remind them (by email, social media, or any other way):
“Social Security is a sacred contract. For decades, you honored it. You worked hard, and you contributed your share in good faith. But now, unelected bureaucrats in our government are telling you that that contract doesn't count anymore. You're not going to get your money back. YOUR money. Your retirement. Your safety.
And they are trying to make it far harder for you to get it when you try. And their goal is to stop you from trying at all.
And your Senator/representative in Congress ________________________________, is allowing that to happen.
The phone number of his/her D.C. office is ______________________________.
The phone number of his/her local office is _______________________________.
[You can find this information for House members HERE, and Senators HERE.]
This is still America. Contracts between the government and the governed still matter here. Your right to retire with dignity and security still matters here.
And this fight belongs to all of us now. Together.
Please call. Make your voice heard. That still matters too."
Day 113 — March 25, 2025
At a televised cabinet meeting, Homeland Security Secretary Noem announced that FEMA—the Federal Emergency Management Agency—would be eliminated.
