Politics
JUST IN: Trump Announces Nominee For National Fraud Enforcement Office
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he had nominated Colin McDonald to lead the newly-created National Fraud Enforcement Division, a new subdivision of the Justice Department tasked with investigating and prosecuting fraud cases nationwide.
The division, which was first announced on January 8, will be tasked with enforcing federal laws against fraud that impacts government programs, federally funded benefits, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and private citizens.
It will oversee multi-district and multi-agency investigations, providing guidance and support to U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and collaborating with other federal entities to detect and prosecute complex fraud schemes, according to a White House fact sheet.
When announcing the initiative during a press conference, Vice President JD Vance described it as having the authority of a special counsel and said it would operate directly under oversight from the White House and Trump administration. He emphasized prosecuting “anybody involved” in what he described as a “nationwide fraud ring” rooted in welfare abuse.
The announcement highlighted ongoing prosecutions in states like Minnesota, where federal authorities have obtained dozens of convictions in multi-billion-dollar public welfare fraud cases. Officials noted that fraud in federal programs has resulted in significant financial losses, estimated in the hundreds of billions of dollars in certain states.
During a recent press conference in Minnesota, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent estimated that total fraud losses could top $600 billion.
🚨 HOLY CRAP. Sec. Scott Bessent just confirmed up to $600 BILLION of annual fraud with taxpayer dollars, nearly 10% of spending
Elon Musk called it!
END ALL FRAUD.
"We are going to hold people accountable. We're going to press this to the full extent possible…American… pic.twitter.com/E2njwKalG7
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 8, 2026
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced that Colin McDonald had been nominated to lead the division as an assistant attorney general. McDonald currently serves as an Associate Deputy Attorney General, reporting directly to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
He previously worked as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California from 2014 to 2025.
“I am pleased to nominate Colin McDonald to serve as the first ever Assistant Attorney General for National FRAUD Enforcement, a new Division at the Department of Justice, which I created to catch and stop FRAUDSTERS that have been STEALING from the American People. My Administration has uncovered Fraud schemes in States like Minnesota and California, where these thieves have stolen Hundreds of Billions of Taxpayer Dollars,” President Trump announced in a Truth Social post.
“Colin McDonald is a very Smart, Tough, and Highly Respected AMERICA FIRST Federal Prosecutor who has successfully delivered Justice in some of the most difficult and high stakes cases our Country has ever seen. Together, we will END THE FRAUD, and RESTORE INTEGRITY to our Federal Programs. Congratulations Colin — STOP THE SCAMS!”
When announcing the division, Vice President Vance stated that the White House has spoken with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who promised a “quick” confirmation process.
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