DOGE and MAGA are creating chaos and confusion across the country — and it’s hurting our seniors.
Last month, DOGE released a list of federal assets it wants to sell, including two federal buildings in Indianapolis — the Minton-Capehart Building downtown and the Major General Emmett J. Bean Federal Center in Lawrence. Minton-Capehart houses local offices for Social Security, the VA and immigration courts. The Bean Federal Center houses the Defense Finance Administration Service (DFAS), which prepares the paychecks for every service member in the U.S. and abroad.
I warned against this short-sighted plan, and now DOGE has removed this list from their website, creating even more chaos and confusion. But DOGE has not abandoned their plans. They’ve just hidden their list and eliminated virtually all transparency, so their plans are deliberately unclear.
With all this confusion, Indianapolis residents — and the federal employees who work in the buildings — are left in the lurch.
Let’s start with the impact on federal workers. I’ve written about the impact federal workers have on our economy, particularly in supporting Black employees.
Even if DOGE does not carry through with their plans, their lack of transparency and loose, “throw everything at the wall” strategy is incredibly stressful on federal workers. These hardworking public servants have told me they feel devalued, and it’s no wonder why. DOGE continues to make the case, without evidence, against federal workers. They are holding families’ livelihoods over their heads for no reason.
And now, federal workers at Minton-Capehart and the Bean Center have even more worry and stress — DOGE has announced plans to sell the building. These workers don’t deserve even more uncertainty over their jobs. Indianapolis’ Social Security offices were already overwhelmed and understaffed. These employees need more support, not less.
Besides impacting federal workers, these buildings play a key role in carrying out essential government services, particularly the Social Security office in the Minton-Capehart Building. Minton-Capehart is the most popular office in Indianapolis for seniors who need help applying for and accessing their benefits.
Folks receiving Social Security in Indianapolis tell me the Minton Capehart building is essential for receiving in-person services. This is particularly useful for seniors uncomfortable navigating the internet. Closing it will mean they will have no nearby option for services.
Plus, many services can’t be accomplished online or over the phone even if they wanted to, thanks in part to Trump’s new policies that will require seniors to visit Social Security field offices to verify their identities in person. These policies have been delayed after the Social Security Administration received backlash. But they are still set to go into effect on April 14.
It’s a Catch-22 playbook. The Trump administration is forcing Social Security beneficiaries to rely on in-person services, while also taking away the closest and most convenient in-person location in Indianapolis. The Trump administration is forcing federal workers across the country to work in person full time — but in Indianapolis, they are also taking away two federal buildings where many Hoosier federal employees work in person.
Donald Trump has repeatedly promised he won’t touch Social Security. But his actions tell a different story. He and Elon Musk are creating new hurdles for seniors to apply for and receive Social Security benefits.
Social Security is a civil right. The Social Security Act was initially passed in 1935 with exclusions of Black Americans, and as a result, most Black Americans did not receive benefits until the 1950s, resulting in an economic disadvantage that lasts until now.
Today, Social Security is essential for people of color, who tend to have fewer alternative resources, become disabled at higher rates and disproportionately rely on Social Security’s family and survivor benefit features, including many Black children.
People of color are also less likely than white Americans to have pensions or retirement savings. As a result, people of color rely more heavily on Social Security income in retirement. Among seniors 65 and older, Social Security is the sole source of income for 33 percent of African Americans. Because people of color generally earn less than white Americans, they benefit from Social Security’s progressive benefit formula, which replaces a higher percentage of pre-retirement earnings for low-wage workers.
MAGA Republicans continue to fail to protect Social Security, and they continue to fail Black Americans. I will always vote against Social Security cuts and vehemently push back against these policies.
With many reports of proposed changes and uncertainty, I’m working to help Indianapolis seniors have the most accurate and up-to-date information. Right now, I’m alerting Indianapolis Social Security recipients that if you created an online account more than three years ago, you will need to transition to a new or existing login.gov account or an ID.me account. You can find more information on this at carson.house.gov.
My office also stands ready to assist Social Security beneficiaries who have additional questions or who are having trouble accessing their benefits. Just last year, my office helped return over $300,000 in lost or delayed benefits directly to Indianapolis residents.
These are your benefits. You earned them. No one — not even the president — should be able to take them away.
