The Trump administration achieved a major victory on Tuesday in the battle against fraud in taxpayer-funded programs. Colin McDonald was confirmed in a 52-47 vote by the Senate to lead the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division.
The Division was created by President Trump to lead the federal government’s efforts to identify and prosecute instances of large-scale fraud. McDonald’s confirmation follows investigations into the massive Minnesota daycare fraud, which was exposed late last year.
Colin McDonald has previously served as an associate deputy attorney general at the Department of Justice (DOJ). President Trump praised McDonald’s intelligence and commitment to justice when he nominated him to the position earlier this year.
“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,” President Trump said. “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!”
During his confirmation hearing, McDonald pointed to the Minnesota daycare fraud scandal as a “pivotal” moment in raising public awareness on the topic. He also testified to the scale of the problem, stating that fraud costs taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars each year. He indicated that the newly created division would seek to continue the same type of investigative work, uncovering fraud schemes nationwide, and to work with state and local law enforcement to prosecute those responsible.