Donald Trump is breaking Social Security. There may be ‘hell to pay.’ | Opinion

Social Security has long been called “the third rail” of American politics – an untouchable program politicians can’t cut or disrupt without getting burned.

But President Donald Trump, who has an almost mystical knack for avoiding consequences, is putting that warning to a test. His administration has pushed out Social Security workers and fouled up the agency’s computer, phone and in-person services for retired and disabled people and others to a point where even “Teflon Don” can’t avoid a political scalding. More than one in five Americans receive Social Security benefits.

In North Carolina, where Social Security service had been improving under the Biden administration, the nationwide breakdown is being keenly felt.

Kevin Rodgers, a Raleigh attorney who has handled Social Security disability cases for 33 years, said service from the agency is “as bad as it’s ever been.”

“It is very difficult to get through,” he said. “Even my paralegals can’t get through. A lot of times the call will drop after they’ve been on hold for two hours.”

The crisis is arising from a convergence of two moves by the Trump administration and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) headed by Elon Musk.

The Social Security Administration, already understaffed when Trump took office, has lost more workers. Some took the buyout offer intended to trim the federal workforce. Others, who had been working from home, decided to leave in the face of Trump’s back-to-the office orders.

Meanwhile, DOGE has imposed “anti-fraud” measures that have made it more difficult to handle Social Security matters by phone or online, while also making it harder to get an in-person appointment at a Social Security office.

I visited the Social Security office in Raleigh this week. There is no admission without an appointment. About 35 people sat in a waiting area overseen by a security guard and two police officers. The office administrator said all questions need to go through the regional Social Security Administration office in Atlanta. I emailed questions but have received no reply.

People exiting the office said they were there for a variety of issues, including tax information, seeking support for a minor or disability payments or obtaining a Social Security card. Two said their issues were resolved, but others complained about not being able to get through on the phone, waiting for hours in the waiting room and being told to come back for an appointment that is weeks away.

Charles Hall, a Raleigh attorney who has specialized in Social Security disability claims since 1978, said the Social Security Administration has long been underfunded and slow functioning, but since Trump took office, “It’s just nosedived. They’ve just been disrupting everything and scaring everyone.”

Hall is winding down his practice but regrets having to hand it to his partner when it’s so hard to help clients with their Social Security needs.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said. “Is it going to completely devolve to a point where they can’t get out the monthly benefits? I just don’t know how bad it’s going to end up. Is it going to be total chaos?”

People who can’t get through to Social Security are calling members of Congress for help. Rep. Deborah Ross (D-2nd District) is hearing that frustration.

On Monday, Ross hosted a virtual discussion with advocates for older adults. One of them was Jennie Griggs, program director at the Northern and Eastern Wake Senior Centers. She who many people have come to the centers for help after being unable to communicate with Social Security.

“They will hang on the line forever and ever and ever and they can’t get anything. There’s no response,” she said.

Ross said the disruption reflects the Trump administration’s attitude toward serving people in need.

“We’ve got an administration right now that is frustrated that people are using programs that are part of the social safety net,” she said. “We should be thinking about how to sustain (the programs) as opposed to having an administration that is trying to dissuade people from getting the benefits they have earned.”

Hall said his long experience with Social Security tells him Trump will not get away with touching the third rail.

“You don’t screw with Social Security,” he said. “Pay them the benefits, or there’s going to be hell to pay.”

This story was originally published April 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Donald Trump is breaking Social Security. There may be ‘hell to pay.’ | Opinion."