Trump Hires Top Prosecutor
President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced the appointment of veteran federal prosecutor Colin McDonald to lead the Justice Department’s newly formed National Fraud Enforcement Division, a new unit designed to aggressively pursue large-scale fraud targeting federal programs and taxpayer-funded resources.
The move comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to combat waste, fraud, and abuse across government agencies, with officials emphasizing the need to protect seniors, working families, and taxpayers from organized financial schemes.
In a Truth Social post announcing the nomination, Trump praised McDonald’s record and experience, calling him a strong and proven law-and-order prosecutor.
“Colin McDonald is a very smart, tough, and highly respected AMERICA FIRST federal prosecutor,” Trump wrote, saying his administration has uncovered extensive fraud operations across multiple states.
The president pointed to cases in Minnesota and California, arguing that sophisticated schemes have improperly siphoned off massive sums of public money meant for essential services.
“These are not small-dollar crimes,” Trump said, framing the effort as part of a broader mission to restore accountability and integrity within federal programs.
“Together, we will END THE FRAUD and RESTORE INTEGRITY to our Federal Programs,” Trump added, closing with a direct message to offenders: “STOP THE SCAMS.”
McDonald brings more than a decade of experience in federal law enforcement to the role. Since 2014, he has served as an associate deputy attorney general and worked as a federal prosecutor in Southern California and Hawaii, where he earned a reputation for handling complex corruption and financial crime cases.
One of his most notable prosecutions involved the successful conviction of former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha, his wife, and other officials. Court records showed the group orchestrated a scheme to frame a family member in order to conceal the theft of $148,000, later spending the money on luxury vehicles, vacations, and other personal items.
Vice President JD Vance and Attorney General Pam Bondi praised McDonald’s leadership and prosecutorial judgment, saying his background makes him well-suited to dismantle organized fraud networks and recover stolen taxpayer funds.
Former Southern California U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer, who supervised McDonald during Trump’s first term, described him as a disciplined and ethical public servant.
“He was assigned to one of the most challenging public corruption cases in Hawaii,” Brewer said. “His legal skill, organization, and leadership were critical to achieving justice.”
Brewer added that McDonald’s integrity and work ethic have earned respect throughout the justice system, saying Americans can trust his judgment and commitment to the rule of law.
McDonald’s nomination must still be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
While details surrounding the full scope and authority of the National Fraud Enforcement Division are still being finalized, administration officials say the unit will operate nationwide and coordinate with federal agencies to identify fraud, recover stolen funds, and safeguard taxpayer dollars.
