Newly created role will oversee federal efforts targeting large-scale fraud cases across multiple states.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Colin McDonald as the first Assistant Attorney General for National Fraud Enforcement, establishing a newly created role within the Department of Justice focused on investigating fraud across the country.
McDonald was approved in a 52–47 vote following his nomination earlier this year by President Donald Trump, who announced the position as part of a broader effort to expand federal enforcement against financial crimes. In a statement shared at the time of the nomination, Trump said, “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.”
Trump added, “My Administration has uncovered Fraud schemes in States like Minnesota and California, where these thieves have stolen Hundreds of Billions of Taxpayer Dollars. 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!” The announcement was also shared in this post.
Attorney General Pam Bondi welcomed the confirmation, stating in a message, “Congratulations to Colin McDonald, an integral member of our team, on his confirmation today!” She added, “Colin is an experienced, skilled, and tough prosecutor who will continue doing incredible work to root out fraud across America. President Trump made an outstanding choice.”
According to administration officials, the new position is structured to function with authorities similar to a special counsel but under a different framework. Vice President JD Vance said earlier this year that the role would operate with “all the benefits, all the resources, all the authority of a special counsel,” while differing in key aspects.
“Number one, it will be run out of the White House under the supervision of me and the President United States,” Vance said. “And number two, it’s actually constitutionally legitimate. As you guys may know, the special counsel statute has some major constitutional questions.”
Vance added, “When we get the bad guys, we want to make sure we get them permanently, and they don’t have some legal technicality they can get out of, which is why we set it up as an associate attorney general.”
Officials indicated that McDonald’s initial focus will include fraud cases in Minnesota, where authorities have identified large-scale schemes involving misuse of taxpayer funds.
The creation of the role reflects a shift in how the administration intends to coordinate and centralize federal fraud enforcement, with leadership operating outside traditional Justice Department supervisory structures while maintaining nationwide jurisdiction.
Original article
Comments