WASHINGTON ― Emails show that the Social Security Administration canceled contracts with the state of Maine as political payback against its Democratic governor. A week after Maine Gov. Janet Mills clashed publicly with President Donald Trump at the White House over transgender athletes in girls’ sports,

Emails show Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek ignored his own staff's warnings about the impacts and canceled Maine contracts because the governor publicly stood up to President Donald Trump.

Elon Musk appeared to boast of advance knowledge of a planned arrest related to Social Security fraud, frustrating law enforcement officials, sources tell ABC News.

Public confidence in the economy has been rattled by news out of the White House, most recently noises about cuts to Social Security and Medicaid.

Effective Sept. 30, 2025, the executive order directs the Treasury Department, which includes the IRS, to stop issuing paper checks for all federal payments, including tax refunds. It also requires all payments to the federal government, including tax bills, be processed electronically.

Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek leaves Social Security beneficiaries worried about their checks. They should be.

Will Social Security checks go out as planned this month as the agency eyes a number of changes to combat fraud and budget cuts?

The Social Security Administration’s reported plans to switch its technology systems on an accelerated timeline may put benefit payments at risk, experts warn.