Trump’s Payroll Tax Deferral Raises Red Flags on Social Security

President Donald Trump announced four executive actions on Saturday, including a temporary payroll tax deferral for some workers and continued expanded unemployment benefits, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to hobble the U.S. economy.

The moves were criticized by Democrats and some Republicans as, variously, proving little real help, an unconstitutional power grab from Congress, and a backhanded way to defund Social Security and Medicare, critical programs for millions of American retirees.

“Unilaterally eliminating the payroll tax and ignoring Congress’s power of the purse on funding unemployment insurance will do nothing to help Americans recover,” Representative Maxine Waters, chair of ...