Assaulting the “Deep State:” Closing the Chapter on Teleworking

When the worldwide COVID pandemic hit America, the nation basically shut down. During the initial months, the Social Security Administration had to come up with a new system that would keep the agency running and the benefits so many Americans rely on for their security. The agency also had a duty to its employees to provide a safe work environment. 

For such a huge administrative agency, the Social Security Administration was remarkably agile in accomplishing these two goals. The key to these mechanisms was teleworking. 

After the COVID crisis, the agency remained committed to thanking its workforce by evolving into a hybrid work environment, as has happened in the private sector. The productivity of this hybrid model in business is proven.

Nonetheless, at a press conference on December 16, 2024, held at his Mar-a-Lago country club, Donald Trump made it clear that he expected workers to return to their offices under his presidency. He declared, “If people don’t come back to work, come back into the office, they’re going to be dismissed.” The president’s strong announcement marked the start of his plan to end remote work under his regime.

If past events are any teacher, this will cause renewed distress to the Agency’s work force. The most experienced workers will retire or leave prior to retirement. Buyouts will be accepted, causing further attrition in the workforce.