Vance Announces New Phase of Fraud Investigations, Withholds $259 Million in Medicaid Funds From Minnesota

The vice president is chairing the White House anti-fraud task force investigating illegitimate uses of federal funds.

Vice President JD Vance speaks at a news conference in the library of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington on Feb. 25, 2026. Travis Gillmore/The Epoch Times

WASHINGTON—Vice President JD Vance announced new efforts to combat fraud nationwide during a news conference on Feb. 25 in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building with Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The federal government is temporarily deferring $259 million in Medicaid payments to the state of Minnesota, citing widespread fraud. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has 60 days to respond.