TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin joined a coalition of 20 states on Monday in filing an amicus brief urging a federal court to block alleged illegal staffing cuts and office closures at the Social Security Administration under the Trump Administration.

The brief was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in support of plaintiffs in American Association of People with Disabilities v. Dudek. The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction to stop measures that have disrupted access to Social Security benefits for millions across the country.

“New Jerseyans deserve better than to have their retirements thrown into chaos by an unelected billionaire who is destroying a critical safety net with zero accountability for his actions,” Platkin said, referring to Elon Musk’s involvement in the changes at SSA.

The brief alleges that SSA leadership under the Trump Administration, including Musk, SSA Commissioner Dudek, and agency arm DOGE, engaged in mass layoffs and abrupt office closures that have undermined the agency’s ability to deliver core services. More than 2,800 employees have already taken early retirement or buyouts, with further cuts planned. The brief argues these moves have created serious delays for beneficiaries.

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