President Joe Biden on Friday fired Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul, a Trump administration appointee, after he refused to resign from the post.
A White House official, in explaining the commissioner's termination, said Saul "undermined and politicized" Social Security disability benefits. Saul's deputy, David Black, another Trump appointee, resigned Friday upon request.
Saul was known for his staunch anti-union attitude, a stance that became more controversial as the Social Security Administration dealt with federal employee unions amid the Covid-19 epidemic.
Saul's actions "run contrary to the mission of the agency and the President's policy agenda," the official said.
Biden named Kilolo Kijakazi, the current deputy commissioner for retirement and disability policy, to serve as acting commissioner until the president's permanent nominee is selected.
Saul was known for his staunch anti-union attitude, a stance that became more controversial as the Social Security Administration dealt with federal employee unions amid the Covid-19 epidemic.
Saul's actions "run contrary to the mission of the agency and the President's policy agenda," the official said.
Biden named Kilolo Kijakazi, the current deputy commissioner for retirement and disability policy, to serve as acting commissioner until the president's permanent nominee is selected.
Pia Bentley
1 minute, 43 seconds
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