Senate Confirms Colin McDonald to Lead DOJ’s New Fraud Division

McDonald’s appointment comes as the Trump administration has intensified scrutiny of alleged large-scale fraud, particularly in Minnesota.

Colin McDonald, the nominee for assistant Attorney General for fraud enforcement at the Department of Justice, listens at his Senate Judiciary Committee nomination hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 25, 2026. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The Senate voted 52–47 on March 24 to confirm Colin McDonald as the first leader of the Department of Justice’s newly created fraud division, marking a significant step in the federal government’s expanded focus on combating financial crimes.

McDonald’s appointment came as the Trump administration intensified scrutiny of alleged large-scale fraud, particularly in Minnesota. The new role—assistant attorney general for national fraud enforcement—placed McDonald at the center of those efforts.

Before his confirmation, McDonald served as an associate deputy attorney general beginning in April 2025 and previously worked as senior counsel to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, to whom he will now report.

“Colin McDonald is not only a friend, but one of the most effective attorneys with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working,” Blanche posted on X. “The American people should rest easier knowing that Colin will be leading the Justice Department’s new fraud division to root out the rampant abuse of taxpayer dollars, while punishing those who scammed Americans in need of important federal program assistance.”

During the confirmation hearing, McDonald emphasized his commitment to independence, saying his decisions would be guided strictly by evidence and the law. When asked whether he would comply with a presidential directive to open a specific investigation, he declined to answer directly, reiterating that all cases would be handled based on facts rather than political considerations.

He outlined an ambitious vision for the division, describing it as broad in scope and mission in which no case would be considered too large or too minor. The goal, he said, is to pursue wrongdoing at every level of accountability while ensuring that enforcement remains measured and fair.

McDonald steps into the role amid operational challenges. In Minnesota, a key focal point for early enforcement, the U.S. attorney’s office has been strained by a wave of resignations following controversy tied to federal immigration enforcement actions. Among those who departed is Joseph Thompson, who had been leading a major fraud investigation in the state. Rebuilding prosecutorial capacity there will be an immediate priority.

A veteran of federal law enforcement, McDonald previously served as a prosecutor in both Southern California and Hawaii after beginning his legal career as a judicial clerk in 2012. While in Hawaii, he played a central role in securing convictions against former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his wife, Katherine Kealoha, in a high-profile case involving bank fraud and conspiracy.

The fraud division itself was established on Jan. 8 as part of a broader initiative to address what officials have described as a growing national problem. Its mandate includes both criminal and civil enforcement targeting fraud affecting federal programs, businesses, nonprofits, and individuals.

According to Vice President JD Vance, the division will operate with nationwide jurisdiction and coordinate closely with other agencies to investigate and prosecute complex fraud schemes. Initial enforcement efforts are expected to begin in Minnesota, setting the tone for the division’s broader national strategy.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.