WireMarch 24, 2026 at 10:30 PM
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The Senate confirmed Colin McDonald on a 52–47 vote Tuesday to serve as the Justice Department’s first assistant attorney general for national fraud enforcement. The appointment comes as federal officials investigate large-scale fraud schemes, including a Minnesota daycare scandal involving millions in taxpayer-funded federal dollars.
President Donald Trump established the National Fraud Enforcement Division to target systemic fraud across federal programs. Trump cited cases like Minnesota, where fraud exposed widespread abuse and shaped federal responses. "My Administration has uncovered fraud schemes in states like Minnesota and California, where these thieves have stolen hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars," Trump said. "Together, we will end the fraud and restore integrity to our federal programs."
The Minnesota daycare fraud investigation has drawn national attention, with federal investigators examining allegations that funds intended for childcare and meals were diverted or misused. A recent state audit found Minnesota officials failed for years to properly investigate fraud-related allegations, despite having the authority to pursue cases.
McDonald emphasized the scale of the problem, citing estimates that hundreds of billions of dollars are lost to fraud annually.
During his confirmation hearing, McDonald highlighted the Minnesota case as "pivotal" in exposing fraud in taxpayer-funded programs. He pledged to "scale" similar efforts nationwide, working with federal, state, and local partners to investigate and prosecute cases. Attorney General Pam Bondi praised McDonald as an "experienced, skilled, and tough prosecutor" who will "continue doing incredible work to root out fraud across America."