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By Kate Plummer
Senior US News Reporter
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New York Attorney General Letitia James has called out layoffs in the Social Security Administration (SSA) which have been overseen by Elon Musk and government agency the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
James and 20 other attorney generals filed an amicus brief—a legal document submitted by parties not involved in a case—in the case American Association of People with Disabilities V. Dudek seeking to block layoffs at the SSA.
Why It Matters
The SSA pays benefits to some 71 million Americans.
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Amid President Donald Trump's pledge to cut the federal government, the agency is facing mounting criticism over plans to lay off 7,000 workers and implement stricter identity verification measures for beneficiaries. The agency was the subject of a lawsuit over its decision to grant access to individuals' Social Security numbers and other sensitive personal information to DOGE.
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In February, James sent a letter to Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek urging the SSA to maintain New York offices it said it was to close.
Meanwhile, James gained attention for her various legal battles with President Donald Trump and his family, notably a New York judge's ruling in 2024 ordering Trump to pay a $454 million civil fraud judgment after James sued him for falsely inflating the value of his property.
What To Know
In the brief, James and the other attorneys argued that SSA cuts are exacerbating issues in the agency, not making them more efficient. They said there have been longer wait times on the phone, website crashes and other issues.
They called the cuts "erratic and illegal" and said they "jeopardize SSA's ability to perform the core administrative functions Congress assigned it, and in dosing so violate federal law ant the United States Constitution."
What People Are Saying
James said in a release: "Millions of New Yorkers rely on Social Security benefits to ensure they can put food on the table, keep a roof over their head, and access quality health care.
"Elon Musk, DOGE, and the administration are yet again launching an attack on our most vulnerable communities. My office is standing up to defend everyday Americans' ability to access the Social Security benefits they depend on."
What Happens Next
Meanwhile, James hit headlines this week after Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Department of Justice (DOJ) was reviewing allegations James engaged in mortgage fraud. James has denied all wrongdoing. "Attorney General James is focused every single day on protecting New Yorkers, especially as this Administration weaponizes the federal government against the rule of law and the Constitution. She will not be intimidated by bullies—no matter who they are," a spokesperson from her office said in a statement to the New York Post.
James is also currently leading a coalition of Democratic state attorneys general in suing the Trump administration to stop it from cutting off access to more than $1 billion in funding to address the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on K-12 students.
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