President Donald Trump will sign a memorandum aimed at cracking down on Social Security fraud, with the White House emphasizing its efforts to prevent illegal immigrants from incorrectly receiving benefits.
“The memorandum will direct the [Trump] administration to ensure that ineligible aliens are not receiving funds from Social Security Act programs,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said while announcing the memorandum Tuesday.
Immigrants are unable to receive Social Security if they are in the country illegally, but Trump and his advisers, including X owner Elon Musk, have amplified claims that millions are being placed into the program.
According to Leavitt, the memorandum will also expand the Social Security Administration’s fraud prosecution program, direct the agency to ensure ineligible aliens are not receiving funds, and establish a Medicare and Medicaid fraud prosecution program in 15 U.S. attorney’s offices.
Lastly, the memorandum will require the agency’s inspector general to investigate earnings reports for people aged 100 or older with mismatched Social Security records to combat identity theft. This topic has been top of mind for Musk as he leads the Department of Government Efficiency.
The news comes as former President Joe Biden is set to reenter the public sphere by delivering a speech on Social Security at a conference in Chicago.
Democrats are trying to ding Trump over the topic as his approval ratings start to decline, and they have long claimed that Republicans want to cut Social Security benefits, which millions of senior citizens rely on to pay their bills every month.
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Trump, however, insisted on the campaign trail and once in office that he would not cut benefits for the popular federal program, at least not for U.S. citizens.
“Let me make it very clear, ahead of former President Biden’s remarks, the president, this president, President Trump, is absolutely certain about protecting Social Security benefits for law-abiding, tax-paying American citizens and seniors who have paid into this program,” Leavitt said ahead of Biden’s speech.