Donald Trump appoints JD Vance as ‘fraud czar’ in crackdown on ‘free-for-all’ taxpayer theft

Dan McDonald
Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:16:45 +0000

Donald Trump has appointed Vice President JD Vance as the US “fraud czar” as part of a crackdown on what he described as an “unprecedented theft” of public money.

Announcing the move on Truth Social, the President said the problem was “massive and pervasive”.

"The job he will be doing… will be a major factor in how great the future of our country will be,” Mr Trump wrote.

He added that while Mr Vance’s remit would be broad, efforts would focus “primarily” on Democrat-run states.

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Mr Trump accused those states of presiding over a “free for all” in the “unprecedented theft of taxpayer money”.

“The numbers are so large that, if successful, we would literally be able to balance our American Budget,” he said.

“Raids have already started in LA. Good luck JD!”

The announcement came as federal authorities confirmed eight people had been arrested in southern California over an alleged $50million healthcare fraud scheme.

The US Department of Justice said the suspects - including nurses and a psychologist - were accused of operating “sham” hospice facilities and using non-terminal patients as beneficiaries.

Mr Vance has previously warned that Medicaid fraud is widespread in Democrat-run states.

In February, he announced a “temporary halt” to more than $250million in Medicaid funding to Minnesota, saying it was necessary to ensure the state was a “good steward” of taxpayer money.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz rejected the claim, saying the move had “nothing to do with fraud”.

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He added: “The agents Trump allegedly sent to investigate fraud are shooting protesters and arresting children.

"His DoJ is gutting the US attorney’s office and crippling their ability to prosecute fraud."

Mr Vance had already been leading the administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud as part of wider efforts to tackle abuse of federal benefit schemes.

His appointment as “fraud czar” comes after Mr Trump revealed the Vice President was “philosophically a little different from me” on the Iran war.

“I think he was maybe less enthusiastic about going, but he was still quite enthusiastic,” the President said.

However, a White House source told Politico the divide runs deeper, claiming Mr Vance is “skeptical” and “just opposes” US military action against Tehran.

The claim was strongly rejected by the administration.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly described the suggestion as “totally misguided” and part of “efforts to drive a wedge between President Trump and Vice President Vance”.

She added: “The President listens to a host of opinions from his talented national security team and ultimately makes decisions based on what is best for our country and national security.

“Vice President Vance is a tremendous asset to the President and the entire administration.”