Trump Nominates Colin McDonald as Assistant Secretary for Fraud
In Washington, President Trump announced Colin McDonald as his new assistant secretary for fraud on Wednesday. This position, pending Senate confirmation, will empower him to identify and take action against the misappropriation of federal funds.
McDonald may not be a household name, but he has earned a reputation as an unwavering prosecutor, particularly known for tackling corruption. He played a key role in securing convictions in significant law enforcement corruption cases in Hawaii.
Trump expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “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.” He shared this announcement on Truth Social.
The president noted, “My administration uncovered fraudulent schemes in states like Minnesota and California, where these thieves stole hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars. Colin McDonald is a very smart, tough, and highly respected federal prosecutor who has successfully delivered justice in some of the most difficult and high-stakes cases our country has encountered.”
“Together, we will end fraud and restore the integrity of federal programs. Congratulations, Colin — Stop the Fraud!”
In 2020, McDonald contributed significantly to the conviction of Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha, his wife Katherine Kealoha, and two police officers in a scandal involving powerful defendants framing innocent individuals to cover up their wrongdoing.
They were charged with false arrest and obstruction of justice after misusing their authority to arrest their uncle under the pretense of mailbox theft, all in an attempt to discredit him and conceal the theft of $148,000 from an elderly relative.
Four dishonest law enforcement officers in Hawaii received prison sentences ranging from 42 to 156 months for misdeeds that included stealing luxury items and an extravagant brunch bill.
Currently, Mr. McDonald serves as Deputy Attorney General and reports to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. From 2014 to 2025, he worked as a federal prosecutor in Southern California and Hawaii.
Interestingly, unlike many Justice Department officials, Mr. McDonald will report directly to Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. They have both emphasized the prevalence of fraud in states such as Minnesota and California, particularly regarding federally funded social services and pandemic relief.
At a recent White House press briefing, Vance stated, “Colin McDonald is widely recognized as a thorough and highly effective attorney. He has an exceptional track record as a prosecutor, and I look forward to seeing him use that in his new role as Assistant Attorney General.”
However, the exact parameters of McDonald’s responsibilities for tackling “fraud” are still somewhat unclear.
Attorney General Pam Bondi praised McDonald, stating that he “has done an outstanding job at the Department of Justice and will continue to be a valuable addition to our team.” She indicated that his substantial experience makes him well-suited to lead efforts against criminal fraud networks and taxpayer theft.
Robert Brewer, a former U.S. Attorney in Southern California who supervised McDonald during Trump’s first term, described him as a dedicated public servant and a courageous, ethical prosecutor.
“I assigned him to a very complex public corruption case in Hawaii that required his organizational and legal expertise. As anticipated, he played a key role in resolving the case effectively,” Brewer remarked.
He concluded, “Mr. McDonald is an incredibly intelligent, dedicated, and excellent leader. The American people can trust his judgment and ethics, and we can take pride in his work.”
