Nancy Berryhill became acting Social Security commissioner the day President Donald Trump was sworn into office. Berryhill was not appointed by Trump, but was serving as the second in command under previous Acting Commissioner Carolyn Colvin, who decided to step down at the end of President Barack Obama’s term. Considering that Trump has yet to name a new Social Security commissioner that means that the top job at Social Security is now Berryhill’s for the time being.
No matter whether her term is a few months or lasts several years, it is important to have some background on the person who is in charge of a large government agency that impacts millions of Americans every year.
In an introduction blog from the new commissioner, Berryhill is quick to point out that she is no Social Security novice. She has served in different capacities with Social Security for 40 years, so one has to wonder whether Trump is interested in keeping someone who has been in an agency that long regardless of Berryhill’s experience.
One thing was certainly clear from Berryhill’s blog was that no one is going to mistake her for a Trump appointee as she praised the staff she has been working with for the last four decades.
“The dedication of the workers in Social Security’s family is unwavering and unmatched,” she said. “I am looking forward to using our history of professional excellence to remain mission-focused and mission-driven. Social Security is with you through life’s journey, helping you secure today and tomorrow, and I’m proud to honor that promise.”
There is no word coming out of the Trump White House about who may be a permanent replacement as the new commissioner of the Social Security Administration, but at least for the time being it looks like the agency is in good hands.
