Warren Slams Trump, Musk for Reckless Cuts to Americans’ Services, Benefits
1.5 million Massachusetts residents could see benefits cut due to Trump admin gutting Social Security Administration
Washington, D.C. – Following the launch of Senate Democrats’ Social Security War Room to fight back against Donald Trump’s and Elon Musk’s efforts to gut the Social Security Administration, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released new data showing how the cuts could impact 1.5 million Massachusetts residents.
“Donald Trump and Elon Musk are taking a chainsaw to the Social Security Administration and threatening the benefits millions of Americans have paid into their entire working lives—including 1.5 million Massachusetts residents. I’ve got a message for Trump and Elon: get your hands off our Social Security. We should be pushing to increase Social Security benefits, not dealing with these indirect cuts,” said Senator Warren.
Despite President Trump’s promise that he “won’t touch” Social Security benefits, his administration has already fired thousands of workers—including those responsible for processing and disbursing Social Security checks—and closed regional offices across the country. Recent reporting has indicated that SSA is considering firing up to 50 percent of its staff and shutting down at least 45 field offices. At the same time the Trump administration is slashing the agency’s workforce, it has also made it harder for Americans to access their Social Security benefits by ending vital phone services, instead forcing recipients to navigate online platforms or go in person—even as offices are increasingly short-staffed or shuttered altogether.
Senator Warren revealed that these reckless cuts may affect nearly 1.5 million people in Massachusetts:
|
County |
Social Security Beneficiaries Receiving Monthly Checks or SSI |
Total in Monthly Payments |
|
Barnstable |
77,120 |
$155,150,000 |
|
Berkshire |
35,665 |
$66,082,000 |
|
Bristol |
125,850 |
$224,281,000 |
|
Dukes |
4,935 |
$10,020,000 |
|
Essex |
158,485 |
$308,304,000 |
|
Franklin |
18,925 |
$33,215,000 |
|
Hampden |
103,350 |
$188,346,000 |
|
Hampshire |
34,655 |
$64,499,000 |
|
Middlesex |
258,290 |
$538,105,000 |
|
Nantucket |
1,915 |
$4,222,000 |
|
Norfolk |
128,760 |
$264,093,000 |
|
Plymouth |
116,570 |
$227,367,000 |
|
Suffolk |
97,045 |
$176,515,000 |
|
Worcester |
162,745 |
$307,974,000 |
|
Total |
1,489,212 |
$2,568,173,000 |
This information is sourced from the Social Security Administration’s data for SSI and Old Age, Survivors, and Disability benefits (traditional retirement benefits).
This week, Senator Warren led Senate Democrats in launching a new Social Security War Room, a coordinated effort to fight back against the Trump administration’s attack on Americans’ Social Security. The senators announced the effort at a press conference in the U.S. Capitol.
The War Room will focus on coordinating messaging across the Senate Democratic Caucus and external stakeholders; encouraging grassroots engagement by providing opportunities for Americans to share what Social Security means to them; and educating Senate staff, the American public, and stakeholders about Republicans’ agenda and their continued cuts to service and benefits.
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