Concerns Over Fraud and Spending As Midterms Approach
As the Trump administration intensifies its anti-fraud initiatives ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, a recent national survey reveals that many voters view fraud and mismanagement of taxpayer money as significant factors contributing to their rising expenses.
A March poll involving 1,000 registered voters, conducted by the National Treasurer’s Foundation alongside Deep Root Analytics, indicates that 87% of participants are worried about government fraud and misuse of taxpayer funds. Among them, 50% expressed that they are very concerned, while 37% are somewhat concerned.
The same survey uncovered that 83% of respondents believe that improper use of government funds is a major contributor to tax increases and family financial burdens, with 46% saying it contributes significantly and 37% stating it adds a significant amount. Only 14% of voters felt that fraud has little to do with rising costs.
When asked about priorities for elected officials, an overwhelming 89% ranked lowering the cost of living at the top, followed closely by 84% who identified community safety, 80% pointing to national security from international threats, and 65% that prioritized immigration law enforcement.
Voter skepticism shines through regarding the government’s abilities to tackle fraud. While 26% believe that most or all fraud is being addressed, a significant 66% think that only a small fraction is being tackled. Moreover, 70% expressed concerns over insufficient oversight of government spending and a need for more aggressive measures against fraud, while 30% cautioned that additional prevention strategies could potentially create more complications.
This report emerges as President Trump appoints Vice President J.D. Vance to steer the administration’s anti-fraud measures. The efforts are being tracked through an Anti-Fraud Task Force, aiming for a comprehensive approach across various government agencies. On April 2, Vance mentioned a recent federal operation that apprehended a fraudster in the Los Angeles region suspected of defrauding healthcare and hospice services to the tune of over $50 million.
As of March 25, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has suspended 221 hospice and home healthcare providers in California for suspected fraud, and officials predict that number may continue to rise. FBI Director Kash Patel has emphasized that investigations into fraudulent activities are a top priority under the leadership of Trump and Vance, with ongoing efforts targeting hundreds of cases nationwide.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche shared that the Justice Department is currently managing “8,000 active fraud cases” throughout the country while working in tandem with Vance’s task force.
Before this federal initiative, the State Treasurer’s Foundation had already carved out a niche in state-level anti-fraud measures, claiming oversight of more than $3 trillion in public funds. According to their claims, they have protected or returned $28 billion for taxpayers in 2025.
A monitoring report from the foundation reveals that in 2025, their members safeguarded or returned $28 billion to taxpayers, with approximately $5.7 billion uncovered through investigations into waste, fraud, and abuse, and the remaining $22.3 billion generated from investment income and unclaimed property programs.
The report highlights troubling findings across various states, including about $1.86 billion in overspending by local governments in Florida, close to $1 billion in Medicaid waste and unspent education funds in Kentucky, over $1 billion in payroll inefficiencies in North Carolina, and more than $518 million in waste and underfunding in Utah. Additionally, it cites significant investment returns generated by state treasurers, totaling $8 billion in North Carolina, $1.86 billion in Wyoming, and $1.7 billion in South Carolina.
OJ Oreka, CEO of the National Treasurer Foundation, remarked that government fraud plays a role in escalating family expenses. He stated, “Americans rightly understand that fraud is an invisible tax that exacerbates the affordability crisis. The theft and waste of taxpayer money by fraudsters is not merely a criminal issue; it also poses an economic challenge.”
