Acting Social Security Administrator Lee Dudek, angered by Governor Janet Mills' defiance of President Trump's threat to cut federal funding for Maine, ordered the cancellation of Maine Social Security contracts. This action, revealed through internal emails, forced Maine parents to register newborns in person instead of using a long-standing hospital registration program. This decision, despite warnings from staff about potential identity theft and increased improper payments, was described by Dudek as retribution against Mills.
The Social Security Administration quickly reversed the decision after public outcry. Democrats in Congress, including Representatives Gerald Connolly and Chellie Pingree, called for Dudek's resignation, citing his actions as waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer money. Governor Mills, while not directly calling for Dudek's resignation, expressed concerns about the broader issues of instability and cuts within the Social Security Administration.
The conflict stems from a dispute between President Trump and Governor Mills regarding Maine's policy allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' high school sports. Trump threatened to withhold federal funds, to which Mills responded, “See you in court.” Dudek's actions are seen as retaliation for this stance, highlighting the politicization of administrative decisions.