Trump Nominates Colin McDonald for New National Fraud Enforcement Role

President Donald Trump has put forward Deputy Attorney General Colin McDonald as the first Assistant Attorney General overseeing national fraud enforcement, a new position within the Department of Justice.

This announcement came Wednesday when Trump shared it on Truth Social.

“I am pleased to nominate Colin McDonald as the first-ever Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Service, a new division of the Department of Justice that I created to catch and stop fraudsters who steal from the American people,” President Trump stated.

He further mentioned that his administration has uncovered fraudulent activities in states like Minnesota and California, where substantial taxpayer funds were misappropriated.

Trump lauded McDonald’s achievements, describing him as “a highly respected and America’s first federal prosecutor.”

“Colin McDonald is a very smart, tough, and highly respected America’s foremost federal prosecutor who has masterfully delivered justice in some of the most difficult and high-stakes cases our country has ever seen,” he added. “Together, we will end fraud and restore the integrity of federal programs. Congratulations, Colin — Stop the Fraud!”

Since Trump’s second inauguration, McDonald has been part of his administration. Initially, he was a senior advisor in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, later taking on the role of deputy assistant attorney general.

Vice President J.D. Vance, who revealed the new assistant attorney general position during a White House press event on January 8, praised McDonald in remarks shared with Breitbart News.

“Colin MacDonald is widely recognized as a thorough and highly effective attorney,” Vance expressed. “He has an exceptional track record as a prosecutor, which I look forward to bringing to his new role as Assistant Attorney General.”

Both Attorney General Pamela Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche commended McDonald as well.

“Colin MacDonald has done an outstanding job at the Department of Justice and will continue to be a valuable addition to our team as we prosecute fraud across the country,” Bondi said, adding that his collaboration with law enforcement makes him well-suited to lead efforts against criminal fraud.

Blanche remarked, “Since Colin joined our team on January 20, 2025, he has played a key role in this administration’s success in making America safe again. He is an experienced prosecutor who loves his family, God, and country, and will serve the American people and President Trump well.”

Robert Brewer, a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, also shared his endorsement of McDonald. He noted, “I have known Mr. McDonald since 2019, when I became the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California. Mr. McDonald is a career public servant and a fearless, strong and ethical prosecutor.”

McDonald previously held the position of special counsel for the District of Hawaii from 2016 to 2024.

Brewer recalled, “When Colin worked for me in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, I put him on a very difficult public corruption case in Hawaii that seriously required organizational and legal skills. As expected, he has been invaluable in resolving cases in the most advantageous manner. Mr. McDonald is extremely intelligent, dedicated, and a great leader. The American people trust his judgment and ethics and will be proud of his work. I am confident his appointment will bring great credibility to the administration.”