WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Social Security Administration, Frank Bisignano, got an earful from Senate Democrats at his confirmation hearing Tuesday, in the wake of early actions by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency to downsize the agency.

Democratic senators pressed Bisignano on whether he was involved in discussions about DOGE operations regarding onboarding personnel, which he denied. They grilled him on whether he agrees with Musk’s rhetorical attacks on the program, which he sidestepped. They asked him to reassure them that Trump is telling the truth when he says he doesn’t want to slash benefits for seniors, and that he’d protect the program if confirmed.

“It’s bedlam out there in Social Security,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the ranking member of the Finance Committee.

“The urgency for today’s hearing couldn’t be greater. Since Donald Trump took office, Social Security has experienced the most chaos in its history,” he said. “Mass personnel layoffs, eliminating phone service for basic help, sending seniors to overcrowded and understaffed field offices that have also been put on the chopping block for closure, political appointees poking around your most sensitive private information.”

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., asked Bisignano whether he agrees with Musk’s claim that Social Security is a “Ponzi scheme.” The nominee didn’t directly answer, saying twice that it’s “a promise to pay.”

Bisignano told Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., that his objective is to continue and improve Social Security. When asked if it should be privatized, he said, “I don’t believe anybody’s thinking about that.”

Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., said Trump “has Elon Musk … running rampant through Social Security, and he’s laying off staff and making it much more difficult for people to get benefits.” She asked if he’d stand up to Musk and DOGE if they come for benefits.

Bisignano promised to “lead the agency in the manner that this Senate Finance Committee wants me to do” and said he has no thought about slashing benefits. He made clear he reports to Trump amid questions about Musk.

Republicans, meanwhile, largely avoided the issue of DOGE and its actions on Social Security, which have prompted concerns from a few House GOP lawmakers in swing districts, too.

“The president of the United States has said very clearly that we are not going to cut Social Security benefits,” said Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, the chairman of the committee. “And no matter what folks — whether it’s the media or whether it is those who want to attack the administration — want to say, the reality is that it is scare tactics.”

Other Democrats accused Trump of lying.

“I think there’s a bit of a plot afoot here. Step one is to lie about not intending to damage Social Security and to protect Social Security benefits,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., said.

Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., leaned on his private sector experience to emphasize the importance of customer service, telling Bisignano it is weak at Social Security. He said he has sought to call the line and experienced unacceptably long wait times while forcing customers to listen to “D-grade elevator music.”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., asked Bisignano whether he will make sure the staffing at the Social Security Administration is sufficient to ensure beneficiaries can effectively use the services.

“I will commit to have the right staffing to get the job done,” Bisignano replied.

“To get the job done, meaning delivering the benefits people are entitled do?” Warren said, to which the nominee responded yes.

“I’m going to hold you to that,” Warren said.

While Musk has taken a dim view of federal workers, Bisignano lauded them.

“My father, a 46-year Department of Treasury employee, worked in Customs Enforcement, boarding ships early in the morning, and sometimes when I come home for days, he took pride in his job, and he was awarded the Albert Gallatin award,” the nominee told the committee. “I view federal workers from that vantage point.”