Schumer: Trump is cutting Social Security, DOGE cuts hurting recipients

Top Senate Democrats are hitting President Donald Trump over the future of Social Security as he gets set to address a joint session of Congress this week. Trump will be speaking to lawmakers he has bulldozed past this first month in office, wielding unimaginable executive power. With top aide Elon Musk, Trump is firing federal employees, shuttering government agencies. Democrats say Trump and Musk represent a real threat to well being of Social Security. "It is hard to believe that the Trump administration wants to cut Social Security, but that's what's happening," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. "On the one hand, DOGE has cut 7000 workers from Social Security and on the other, Elon Musk says Social Security is the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time," he said. Trump enjoys the rare sweep of power in Washington, with the Republicans controlling the White House, the House and the Senate, and he relies on political fear as well as favor to motivate lawmakers. With Musk having poured $200 million into electing Trump, the president has a ready patron whose vast political funds can influence any resisters. "The American people should realize the Social Security is administration is already at its lowest level of staffing in 50 years," said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, " That's why fewer than 40% of people who call to talk to a Social Security agent get through to talk to someone," Murray said. "That's why it takes, on average, 240 days to process a disability claim," she said. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has positioned himself as a partner to the president, has said he's excited about what Trump is accomplishing in rooting out waste, fraud and abuse to downsize government. Democrats, after their stunning rejection by voters, are slowly beginning to mount a resistance. They are fighting Trump in court, with amicus briefs to protect federal workers, and filing legislation to serve as a check on what House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York calls the “parade of horribles.” But as the minority party, they are limited in their power. Jeffries brushed off calls for Democrats to boycott Trump's address.