WASHINGTON, District of Columbia — Vice President JD Vance on Thursday announced the creation of a new senior position within the Department of Justice that will carry broad, nationwide authority to investigate alleged fraud, a move civil rights and immigration advocates say could significantly expand federal enforcement power.
According to Vance, the new role will be housed at the deputy attorney general level and will focus on rooting out what the Trump administration describes as widespread fraud tied to public benefits and immigration programs. Vance said the individual selected for the position will answer primarily to himself and President Donald Trump, though he declined to name the appointee.
Administration officials have repeatedly cited fraud as justification for cutting or freezing federal benefits. Most recently, the White House blocked roughly $10 billion in federal child care and family assistance funding in five Democratic-led states, prompting lawsuits seeking to restore the money. Vance pointed to Minnesota as the starting point for the new enforcement effort, referencing ongoing investigations there, while saying the initiative would later expand nationwide.
Critics note that some of the fraud claims cited by administration officials have been based on disputed or exaggerated reporting, particularly allegations involving Somali-run daycare centers in Minnesota. While isolated cases of fraud have occurred, immigrant advocates warn the new DOJ role could be used to justify aggressive enforcement actions and increased scrutiny of immigrant communities.
Vance said the new position would have sweeping jurisdiction over fraud-related cases and framed the initiative as necessary to protect taxpayers, leaving questions about oversight and limits unresolved.
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