Pat the Expat
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migrantfromus.bsky.social
Pat the Expat
@migrantfromus.bsky.social
120 followers 210 following 40 posts
I said what I said.
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migrantfromus.bsky.social
R.I.P. Merit-Based Civil Service... it was a nice (almost) 150-year run.

theconversation.com/donald-trump...
Donald Trump wants to reinstate a spoils system in federal government by hiring political loyalists regardless of competence
if political loyalty replaces merit as the basis of key federal appointments, Americans can expect government to be less competent – as Andrew Jackson learned during his administration
theconversation.com
February 23, 2025 at 12:39 PM
migrantfromus.bsky.social
Please give @marisakabas.bsky.social, she had this 4 days ago!
February 22, 2025 at 7:01 PM
migrantfromus.bsky.social
Legacy media is threatened by indie journalism, it isn't complicated.
February 22, 2025 at 3:52 PM
migrantfromus.bsky.social
"Dude-k, Where's My SSA Commissioner?"
February 20, 2025 at 6:49 PM
migrantfromus.bsky.social
There's much more to this story... including the internal coup in the agency that resulted in a non-supervisory agency employee being given the role of Acting Commissioner as a reward for obedience to Musk & DOGE. Follow journalist @marisakabas.bsky.social who has been all over it:
marisakabas.bsky.social Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Feb 19
New—Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner stepped down bc she wouldn't comply w/ DOGE. Lower-level staffer Leland Dudek replaced her.

In a now-deleted LinkedIn post (pre-promotion) shared w/ me, he said he was placed on admin leave bc he "circumvented the chain of command" to help DOGE.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are my own. They do not reflect the official position of the US Government or the Social Security Administration. Colleagues: At 4:30pm EST, my boss called to tell me I had been placed on administrative leave pending an Investigation. They want to fire me for cooperating with DOGE. I confess. I helped DOGE understand SSA. I mailed myself publically accessible documents and explained them DOGE. I confess. I moved contractor money around to add data science resources to my anti-fraud team to examine Direct Deposit Fraud. I confess. I asked where the fat was and is in our contracts so we can make the right tough choices. Lt's end the revolving door of an executive being a fed one day, letting a fat cat contract, and then walking out the next day for that contractor. I confess. I bullied agency executives, shared executive contact information, and circumvented the chain of command to connect DOGE with the people who get stuff done. I confess. I work long hours. I work odd hours. I get the job done. I confess. I talk to industry partners, advocates, and others about our challenges. I'm honest. I won't reveal PIl, FTI, or sensitive information. I educate. I confess. I post uncomfortable truths on Linkedin. I have a lifetime of posts in me. Everything I have ever done is in service to our country, our beneficiaries, and our agency.
February 20, 2025 at 11:21 AM
migrantfromus.bsky.social
🚨🚨
marisakabas.bsky.social Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Feb 19
New—Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner stepped down bc she wouldn't comply w/ DOGE. Lower-level staffer Leland Dudek replaced her.

In a now-deleted LinkedIn post (pre-promotion) shared w/ me, he said he was placed on admin leave bc he "circumvented the chain of command" to help DOGE.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are my own. They do not reflect the official position of the US Government or the Social Security Administration. Colleagues: At 4:30pm EST, my boss called to tell me I had been placed on administrative leave pending an Investigation. They want to fire me for cooperating with DOGE. I confess. I helped DOGE understand SSA. I mailed myself publically accessible documents and explained them DOGE. I confess. I moved contractor money around to add data science resources to my anti-fraud team to examine Direct Deposit Fraud. I confess. I asked where the fat was and is in our contracts so we can make the right tough choices. Lt's end the revolving door of an executive being a fed one day, letting a fat cat contract, and then walking out the next day for that contractor. I confess. I bullied agency executives, shared executive contact information, and circumvented the chain of command to connect DOGE with the people who get stuff done. I confess. I work long hours. I work odd hours. I get the job done. I confess. I talk to industry partners, advocates, and others about our challenges. I'm honest. I won't reveal PIl, FTI, or sensitive information. I educate. I confess. I post uncomfortable truths on Linkedin. I have a lifetime of posts in me. Everything I have ever done is in service to our country, our beneficiaries, and our agency.
February 20, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Reposted by Pat the Expat
cingraham.bsky.social
🤦Of course Marisa had this seven hours ago! Subscribe to the Handbasket bsky.app/profile/mari...
marisakabas.bsky.social Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Feb 19
New—Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner stepped down bc she wouldn't comply w/ DOGE. Lower-level staffer Leland Dudek replaced her.

In a now-deleted LinkedIn post (pre-promotion) shared w/ me, he said he was placed on admin leave bc he "circumvented the chain of command" to help DOGE.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are my own. They do not reflect the official position of the US Government or the Social Security Administration. Colleagues: At 4:30pm EST, my boss called to tell me I had been placed on administrative leave pending an Investigation. They want to fire me for cooperating with DOGE. I confess. I helped DOGE understand SSA. I mailed myself publically accessible documents and explained them DOGE. I confess. I moved contractor money around to add data science resources to my anti-fraud team to examine Direct Deposit Fraud. I confess. I asked where the fat was and is in our contracts so we can make the right tough choices. Lt's end the revolving door of an executive being a fed one day, letting a fat cat contract, and then walking out the next day for that contractor. I confess. I bullied agency executives, shared executive contact information, and circumvented the chain of command to connect DOGE with the people who get stuff done. I confess. I work long hours. I work odd hours. I get the job done. I confess. I talk to industry partners, advocates, and others about our challenges. I'm honest. I won't reveal PIl, FTI, or sensitive information. I educate. I confess. I post uncomfortable truths on Linkedin. I have a lifetime of posts in me. Everything I have ever done is in service to our country, our beneficiaries, and our agency.
February 19, 2025 at 9:30 PM
migrantfromus.bsky.social
Internal coup within the SSA... details in this thread:
marisakabas.bsky.social Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Feb 19
New—Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner stepped down bc she wouldn't comply w/ DOGE. Lower-level staffer Leland Dudek replaced her.

In a now-deleted LinkedIn post (pre-promotion) shared w/ me, he said he was placed on admin leave bc he "circumvented the chain of command" to help DOGE.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are my own. They do not reflect the official position of the US Government or the Social Security Administration. Colleagues: At 4:30pm EST, my boss called to tell me I had been placed on administrative leave pending an Investigation. They want to fire me for cooperating with DOGE. I confess. I helped DOGE understand SSA. I mailed myself publically accessible documents and explained them DOGE. I confess. I moved contractor money around to add data science resources to my anti-fraud team to examine Direct Deposit Fraud. I confess. I asked where the fat was and is in our contracts so we can make the right tough choices. Lt's end the revolving door of an executive being a fed one day, letting a fat cat contract, and then walking out the next day for that contractor. I confess. I bullied agency executives, shared executive contact information, and circumvented the chain of command to connect DOGE with the people who get stuff done. I confess. I work long hours. I work odd hours. I get the job done. I confess. I talk to industry partners, advocates, and others about our challenges. I'm honest. I won't reveal PIl, FTI, or sensitive information. I educate. I confess. I post uncomfortable truths on Linkedin. I have a lifetime of posts in me. Everything I have ever done is in service to our country, our beneficiaries, and our agency.
February 19, 2025 at 9:25 PM
migrantfromus.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/mari...
marisakabas.bsky.social Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Feb 19
New—Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner stepped down bc she wouldn't comply w/ DOGE. Lower-level staffer Leland Dudek replaced her.

In a now-deleted LinkedIn post (pre-promotion) shared w/ me, he said he was placed on admin leave bc he "circumvented the chain of command" to help DOGE.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are my own. They do not reflect the official position of the US Government or the Social Security Administration. Colleagues: At 4:30pm EST, my boss called to tell me I had been placed on administrative leave pending an Investigation. They want to fire me for cooperating with DOGE. I confess. I helped DOGE understand SSA. I mailed myself publically accessible documents and explained them DOGE. I confess. I moved contractor money around to add data science resources to my anti-fraud team to examine Direct Deposit Fraud. I confess. I asked where the fat was and is in our contracts so we can make the right tough choices. Lt's end the revolving door of an executive being a fed one day, letting a fat cat contract, and then walking out the next day for that contractor. I confess. I bullied agency executives, shared executive contact information, and circumvented the chain of command to connect DOGE with the people who get stuff done. I confess. I work long hours. I work odd hours. I get the job done. I confess. I talk to industry partners, advocates, and others about our challenges. I'm honest. I won't reveal PIl, FTI, or sensitive information. I educate. I confess. I post uncomfortable truths on Linkedin. I have a lifetime of posts in me. Everything I have ever done is in service to our country, our beneficiaries, and our agency.
February 19, 2025 at 7:37 PM
migrantfromus.bsky.social
More details: A low-level SSA employee named Leland Dudek disclosed in LinkedIn posts that he was placed on Admin Leave- including multiple "confessions" of flagrant misconduct. Dudek was actively involved in the weekend coup, then DOGE rewarded him for his loyalty with the Acting Commissioner job.
marisakabas.bsky.social Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Feb 19
New—Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner stepped down bc she wouldn't comply w/ DOGE. Lower-level staffer Leland Dudek replaced her.

In a now-deleted LinkedIn post (pre-promotion) shared w/ me, he said he was placed on admin leave bc he "circumvented the chain of command" to help DOGE.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are my own. They do not reflect the official position of the US Government or the Social Security Administration. Colleagues: At 4:30pm EST, my boss called to tell me I had been placed on administrative leave pending an Investigation. They want to fire me for cooperating with DOGE. I confess. I helped DOGE understand SSA. I mailed myself publically accessible documents and explained them DOGE. I confess. I moved contractor money around to add data science resources to my anti-fraud team to examine Direct Deposit Fraud. I confess. I asked where the fat was and is in our contracts so we can make the right tough choices. Lt's end the revolving door of an executive being a fed one day, letting a fat cat contract, and then walking out the next day for that contractor. I confess. I bullied agency executives, shared executive contact information, and circumvented the chain of command to connect DOGE with the people who get stuff done. I confess. I work long hours. I work odd hours. I get the job done. I confess. I talk to industry partners, advocates, and others about our challenges. I'm honest. I won't reveal PIl, FTI, or sensitive information. I educate. I confess. I post uncomfortable truths on Linkedin. I have a lifetime of posts in me. Everything I have ever done is in service to our country, our beneficiaries, and our agency.
February 19, 2025 at 3:42 PM
migrantfromus.bsky.social
As far as we know he isn't fired... he was PROMOTED to run the entire agency (!) after initially being put on administrative leave.
February 19, 2025 at 3:17 PM
migrantfromus.bsky.social
marisakabas.bsky.social Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Feb 19
New—Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner stepped down bc she wouldn't comply w/ DOGE. Lower-level staffer Leland Dudek replaced her.

In a now-deleted LinkedIn post (pre-promotion) shared w/ me, he said he was placed on admin leave bc he "circumvented the chain of command" to help DOGE.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are my own. They do not reflect the official position of the US Government or the Social Security Administration. Colleagues: At 4:30pm EST, my boss called to tell me I had been placed on administrative leave pending an Investigation. They want to fire me for cooperating with DOGE. I confess. I helped DOGE understand SSA. I mailed myself publically accessible documents and explained them DOGE. I confess. I moved contractor money around to add data science resources to my anti-fraud team to examine Direct Deposit Fraud. I confess. I asked where the fat was and is in our contracts so we can make the right tough choices. Lt's end the revolving door of an executive being a fed one day, letting a fat cat contract, and then walking out the next day for that contractor. I confess. I bullied agency executives, shared executive contact information, and circumvented the chain of command to connect DOGE with the people who get stuff done. I confess. I work long hours. I work odd hours. I get the job done. I confess. I talk to industry partners, advocates, and others about our challenges. I'm honest. I won't reveal PIl, FTI, or sensitive information. I educate. I confess. I post uncomfortable truths on Linkedin. I have a lifetime of posts in me. Everything I have ever done is in service to our country, our beneficiaries, and our agency.
February 19, 2025 at 2:36 PM
migrantfromus.bsky.social
marisakabas.bsky.social Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Feb 19
New—Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner stepped down bc she wouldn't comply w/ DOGE. Lower-level staffer Leland Dudek replaced her.

In a now-deleted LinkedIn post (pre-promotion) shared w/ me, he said he was placed on admin leave bc he "circumvented the chain of command" to help DOGE.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are my own. They do not reflect the official position of the US Government or the Social Security Administration. Colleagues: At 4:30pm EST, my boss called to tell me I had been placed on administrative leave pending an Investigation. They want to fire me for cooperating with DOGE. I confess. I helped DOGE understand SSA. I mailed myself publically accessible documents and explained them DOGE. I confess. I moved contractor money around to add data science resources to my anti-fraud team to examine Direct Deposit Fraud. I confess. I asked where the fat was and is in our contracts so we can make the right tough choices. Lt's end the revolving door of an executive being a fed one day, letting a fat cat contract, and then walking out the next day for that contractor. I confess. I bullied agency executives, shared executive contact information, and circumvented the chain of command to connect DOGE with the people who get stuff done. I confess. I work long hours. I work odd hours. I get the job done. I confess. I talk to industry partners, advocates, and others about our challenges. I'm honest. I won't reveal PIl, FTI, or sensitive information. I educate. I confess. I post uncomfortable truths on Linkedin. I have a lifetime of posts in me. Everything I have ever done is in service to our country, our beneficiaries, and our agency.
February 19, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Reposted by Pat the Expat
migrantfromus.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/did:...
marisakabas.bsky.social Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Feb 19
New—Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner stepped down bc she wouldn't comply w/ DOGE. Lower-level staffer Leland Dudek replaced her.

In a now-deleted LinkedIn post (pre-promotion) shared w/ me, he said he was placed on admin leave bc he "circumvented the chain of command" to help DOGE.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are my own. They do not reflect the official position of the US Government or the Social Security Administration. Colleagues: At 4:30pm EST, my boss called to tell me I had been placed on administrative leave pending an Investigation. They want to fire me for cooperating with DOGE. I confess. I helped DOGE understand SSA. I mailed myself publically accessible documents and explained them DOGE. I confess. I moved contractor money around to add data science resources to my anti-fraud team to examine Direct Deposit Fraud. I confess. I asked where the fat was and is in our contracts so we can make the right tough choices. Lt's end the revolving door of an executive being a fed one day, letting a fat cat contract, and then walking out the next day for that contractor. I confess. I bullied agency executives, shared executive contact information, and circumvented the chain of command to connect DOGE with the people who get stuff done. I confess. I work long hours. I work odd hours. I get the job done. I confess. I talk to industry partners, advocates, and others about our challenges. I'm honest. I won't reveal PIl, FTI, or sensitive information. I educate. I confess. I post uncomfortable truths on Linkedin. I have a lifetime of posts in me. Everything I have ever done is in service to our country, our beneficiaries, and our agency.
February 19, 2025 at 2:25 PM
migrantfromus.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/did:...
marisakabas.bsky.social Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Feb 19
New—Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner stepped down bc she wouldn't comply w/ DOGE. Lower-level staffer Leland Dudek replaced her.

In a now-deleted LinkedIn post (pre-promotion) shared w/ me, he said he was placed on admin leave bc he "circumvented the chain of command" to help DOGE.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are my own. They do not reflect the official position of the US Government or the Social Security Administration. Colleagues: At 4:30pm EST, my boss called to tell me I had been placed on administrative leave pending an Investigation. They want to fire me for cooperating with DOGE. I confess. I helped DOGE understand SSA. I mailed myself publically accessible documents and explained them DOGE. I confess. I moved contractor money around to add data science resources to my anti-fraud team to examine Direct Deposit Fraud. I confess. I asked where the fat was and is in our contracts so we can make the right tough choices. Lt's end the revolving door of an executive being a fed one day, letting a fat cat contract, and then walking out the next day for that contractor. I confess. I bullied agency executives, shared executive contact information, and circumvented the chain of command to connect DOGE with the people who get stuff done. I confess. I work long hours. I work odd hours. I get the job done. I confess. I talk to industry partners, advocates, and others about our challenges. I'm honest. I won't reveal PIl, FTI, or sensitive information. I educate. I confess. I post uncomfortable truths on Linkedin. I have a lifetime of posts in me. Everything I have ever done is in service to our country, our beneficiaries, and our agency.
February 19, 2025 at 2:25 PM
migrantfromus.bsky.social
In effect yes, it sounds that way. Technically, admin leave was revoked, then he was king made.
February 19, 2025 at 2:11 PM
migrantfromus.bsky.social
There are maybe a handful of GOP electeds who should be invited to appear on cable network news... that's being generous. The rest should absolutely not be given the airtime.
February 18, 2025 at 3:40 PM
migrantfromus.bsky.social
If the president does it in his official capacity, it is legal. #ThankALotSCOTUS
January 31, 2025 at 8:55 PM