A Ponzi scheme "is a fraud intended to mislead investors," said Christina C. Benson, an Elon University associate professor of business law. "Social Security is a legally mandated system that has been in place since the 1930s to serve as a critically important social safety net that allows working Americans to save towards retirement."

The acting head of the SSA, Leland Dudek - who has been cooperating with DOGE - said the order blocking "DOGE affiliates" from the agency's systems was so broad it could apply to all staff, according to remarks reported by Bloomberg.