The US President Joe Biden has shown his aggressive side against the top official at Social Security Administration. He has fired Andrew Saul, who took the place of Social Security Administration in 2018.
According to a White House Official, the US administration asked Andrew Saul to submit his resignation. But he didn’t pay heed to the request and refused to do so.
Therefore, Joe Biden has taken strict action against him by removing him from being the top official at Social Security Administration. Andrew Saul was a Trump-nominated Social Security Administrator.
And hence, Biden’s decision to remove him has intensified the political waves in the US. In place of him, Joe Biden has appointed Kilolo Kijakazi as the acting commissioner.
Biden had sought the resignation of the top two Social Security Administrators. While Deputy Commissioner David Black submitted it without any noise, Saul refused to do so. Following this, Biden took this harsh step to remove him from the top post at Social Security Administration.
Allegations Against Andrew Saul
The White House official has said that Andrew Saul has not fulfilled his duties since he took the job into his hands. Instead, he undermined and politicized Social Security disability benefits.
Moreover, he terminated SSA’s telework policy used by around 25% of SSA’s workforce. He didn’t manage to repair the relationships between SSA and Federal employee unions.
Besides, Saul took many actions by going against the mission of SSA and the President’s policy agenda. He is also responsible for reducing due process protections for benefits appeals hearings.
Search for a New Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner is in Process
The Biden administration has appointed Kilolo Kijakazi as the acting commissioner. However, the search for a new commissioner and deputy commissioner is going on at present.
Currently, she is serving as the deputy commissioner for retirement and disability policy at SSA. Before this, Kilolo Kijakazi worked as a fellow at the Urban Institute. Moreover, she was also a senior policy analyst for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Saul was not supposed to leave the office until January 19, 2025. He called the decision to oust him and his deputy a “Friday Night Massacre.” Besides, he even objected to Biden’s right to dismiss him.
On the other hand, the White House has stated the Supreme Court’s ruling that speaks of the President’s powers to remove Saul. Following the news of the removal of the top SSA officials, the Republicans have expressed their anger. And they even call it an unprecedented and dangerous politicization of the Social Security Administration.
