Trump Nominates Colin McDonald as Head of New Fraud Division at Justice Department

President Donald Trump has nominated longtime federal prosecutor Colin McDonald to lead a newly created fraud enforcement division at the Justice Department, a move officials say is aimed at stopping large-scale scams that drain taxpayer dollars. According to the administration, recent investigations uncovered fraud schemes costing the federal government hundreds of billions, often tied to public programs meant to serve everyday Americans. The new unit is expected to focus on tightening oversight and preventing abuse that ultimately affects U.S. households.

President Donald Trump announced a head for the new national fraud enforcement division of the Justice Department in a Jan. 28 post on Truth Social.

“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 said, adding that fraud schemes recently uncovered in Minnesota and California were found to have stolen “hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars.”

Trump commended McDonald for successfully delivering justice in “some of the most difficult and high stakes” cases. “Congratulations Colin—STOP THE SCAMS!”

McDonald has been working as an associate deputy attorney general since April 2025, and earlier as a senior counsel to the deputy attorney general, Todd Blanche.