AFT’s Weingarten Responds to DOGE’s Improper Sharing of Social Security Data

WASHINGTON-AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement responding to the U.S. Department of Justice's new court filing that revealed the Department of Government Efficiency improperly shared Americans' private Social Security Administration data. The AFT, along with the Alliance for Retired Americans and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, filed a lawsuit in February 2025 to halt DOGE's access to Americans' sensitive information.

"The Trump administration's admission that DOGE improperly shared sensitive Social Security data confirms our worst fears. We have argued in court that giving unelected billionaires permission to hijack our private data jeopardizes Americans' personal and financial security. The courts were concerned we didn't have proof, just fear. Now the government has revealed our fears were justified.

"They broke a basic bond of trust and put Americans' futures at risk. Everyone who receives Social Security has contributed to it, and we will continue fighting to ensure the government upholds its end of the bargain. Americans should be allowed to retire with dignity and grace, not in fear that their sensitive information will be exposed."

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The AFT represents 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.