In Washington, the Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration is under heightened pressure to step down following his decision, later retracted, mandating Maine parents to obtain Social Security numbers for their newborns directly from a federal office rather than hospitals. This order, initially set on March 5, has unveiled a political rift, cited as retaliatory towards Maine’s Democratic Governor Janet Mills, who has resisted the Trump administration’s efforts to cut federal funding over transgender athlete policies.
The emails recently disclosed revealed Leland Dudek’s contentious order was politically motivated, marked by an internal agency message stating, “no money will go from the public trust to a petulant child.” Staff cautioned that ending such contracts might lead to improper payments and raise risks of identity theft. The regulation faced strong criticism from medical bodies and officials alike, denouncing it as punitive and unnecessary. For years, parents have registered their newborns for Social Security numbers through the Enumeration at Birth initiative at hospitals, a long-standing practice.
Maine Representative Chellie Pingree, one of the state’s two House members, called for Dudek’s urgent resignation, framing his actions as politically vindictive due to Mills’ defiance of President Trump’s policy. “If a federal agency can be wielded like a political instrument by an acting appointee, it questions the checks and balances on executive authority. Commissioner Dudek’s vengeful behavior against Maine shows an ultimate breach of public trust, deeming him unfit for public service,” Pingree remarked.
Governor Mills spoke on the issue, expressing disapproval of hasty cuts that the Social Security apparatus is subjected to, emphasizing the need for leadership that comprehends it as a public trust. This holds particular significance in Maine, where Social Security recipients are substantial in number. Mills stated, “Social Security is a solemn covenant with the people; its administration should mirror this vital commitment.”
Furthermore, Representative Gerry Connolly from Virginia, a prominent member of the House Oversight Committee, formally sought Dudek’s immediate resignation. Connolly emphasized the necessity for Dudek’s testimony before the committee to answer for his decisions. His letter queried Dudek’s activities between President Trump’s public admonition on February 21, 2025, and the subsequent February 27, 2025, directive to annul Maine‘s Social Security agreements. Connolly’s letter cited internal communications suggesting the contract cancellations were intended as political retribution against Governor Mills.
While the Social Security Administration hasn’t responded promptly to inquiries, Dudek, during a press briefing on March 18, conceded that his actions stemmed from errors in judgment, claiming he hadn’t fully grasped the contract’s implications. He admitted, “I acted prematurely; my inexperience and frustration led to a misstep.” He voiced his dedication to public service, not political paybacks.
The backdrop to Dudek’s order includes ongoing federal investigations into Maine following Governor Mills’ public defiance of President Trump’s decree barring transgender athletes in sports. After a February governors’ meeting at the White House, where Trump’s threats to withdraw funding from Maine were met with Mills’ defiant promise to take the matter to court, the administration launched inquiries into Maine’s compliance with Title IX anti-discrimination laws. Their investigations coincided with the Education Department’s warning of potential Justice Department action.
In tandem, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a halt on federal funding for certain Maine education programs due to their alleged non-compliance with Title IX.