Summary

Emails reveal that Social Security Administration acting chief Leland Dudek canceled Maine’s vital records contracts as retaliation against Democratic Gov. Janet Mills after she clashed with Trump.

Despite warnings this could increase identity theft and fraud, Dudek said, “no money will go from the public trust to a petulant child.”

The termination briefly blocked parents from obtaining Social Security numbers for newborns. Dudek reversed the decision within 24 hours amid backlash.

Lawmakers called for his resignation. Dudek, a former IT staffer, was controversially elevated after aiding Elon Musk’s DOGE team.