Donald Trump's purge of the federal workforce could cause a system failure at the Social Security Administration, the agency's former leader warned.

Ex-commissioner and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said in a recent interview with CNBC that staff cuts and other changes made by the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will likely lead to an interruption of benefits for the over 72.5 million Americans who get monthly checks.

The SSA announced last week that it will cut 7,000 employees from its workforce to align with Trump's executive orders, even as the agency's current staffing is at a 50-year low. While Social Security checks consistently arrive on time, staffing shortages have extended wait times for people applying to receive those benefits in the first place.

"Ultimately, you’re going to see the system collapse and an interruption of benefits. I believe you will see that within the next 30 to 90 days."

Martin O'Malley, former SSA commissioner, raises alarms over recent government efficiency cuts, predicting a potential collapse of the Social Security system that could affect millions of Americans.

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Martin O’Malley, who served as Social Security commissioner under former President Joe Biden, thinks the agency is at risk of missing benefit payments.