President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order establishing the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a new government-wide initiative aimed at combating waste and abuse within federally funded benefit programs across the United States. Vice President J.D. Vance has been appointed to chair the comprehensive task force, which will coordinate a national strategy to identify and prevent fraudulent activities.
"This fraud has happened on such a massive scale that it’s endangering the future viability of America’s entire social safety net." — Vice President Vance Spokesperson
The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the signing and Vance's leadership on Monday. The task force is situated within the Executive Office of the President, highlighting its direct link to the administration's highest levels. Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson will serve as the vice chairman, presiding over the body as directed by Vance or in his absence. Stephen Miller, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, will act as a senior adviser to the task force.
The primary objective of the task force is to coordinate and accelerate a comprehensive national strategy to curb fraud, waste, and abuse within federal benefit programs. This includes programs administered jointly with state, local, tribal, and other government entities, indicating a broad scope of inquiry and enforcement. The executive order mandates the implementation of robust anti-fraud requirements across these programs. These requirements include enhanced screening processes, rigorous proof of identity, and stringent eligibility verification. Furthermore, the order calls for pre-payment integrity and risk controls, which encompass detailed documentation requirements concerning services provided, designed to prevent fraud before funds are disbursed.
A spokesperson for Vice President Vance underscored the severity of the problem, stating, "In states across the country, fraudsters are depriving vulnerable citizens of basic social services, stealing billions of your tax dollars, and eroding America’s social fabric." The spokesperson further elaborated on the systemic threat posed by such activities, adding, "This fraud has happened on such a massive scale that it’s endangering the future viability of America’s entire social safety net." This statement frames the task force's mission as crucial for the long-term sustainability of the nation's social safety net programs. The Trump Administration, according to the spokesperson, is "responding with a whole-of-government war on fraud that includes multiple stakeholders who will follow the fraud wherever it leads."
The establishment of the task force follows earlier anti-fraud efforts by the administration. In January 2026, Vice President Vance announced the creation of a new division within the Department of Justice specifically dedicated to national fraud enforcement. The task force's operational approach is expected to build upon insights gained from previous investigations, particularly those in Minnesota. President Trump had previously highlighted claims of significant fraud in Minnesota, estimating that $19 billion had been illicitly taken from federal programs within the state.
Officials believe that vulnerabilities similar to those identified in Minnesota likely exist in other states, including California, Illinois, New York, Maine, and Colorado. These states are cited in a White House document as having insufficient safeguards and weak oversight, increasing their risk of large-scale fraud. Vice President Vance specifically addressed California's potential exposure to scrutiny, remarking, "We know there’s a lot of fraud in California, and we’re trying to get to the bottom of exactly what it looks like." He also emphasized the President's support for this broad investigation, noting, "And the president has really empowered us to do this … to take the first national look at the way the American people have been defrauded over many, many years."
Recent actions in Minnesota provide a preview of the task force's potential impact. Vice President Vance previously froze $259 million in Medicaid funds to Minnesota amid fraud allegations. Investigations in the state have uncovered substantial fraud, including nearly 9% error rates in food stamp spending and schemes like "Feeding Our Future," which allegedly siphoned nearly $250 million intended for needy children. Additionally, hundreds of millions in federal childcare funding were reportedly stolen by an organized ring, with funds used to purchase luxury items such as cars, property, and travel. Federal sources have confirmed that nearly 90 individuals have been convicted in connection with the Minnesota fraud scheme, with a majority identified as Somali American.
More recently, on March 3, 2026, President Trump's CMS Administrator Dr. Oz launched a "MASSIVE $124 BILLION investigation" into New York Medicaid fraud. Dr. Oz reportedly confirmed with Vice President Vance that New York's Medicaid spending is significantly higher than the national average, by nearly 80%.
Looking forward, the executive order requires each member of the task force to submit a measurable implementation plan to the chairman and vice chairman within 90 days. The task force will also be responsible for examining new anti-fraud standards, which are expected to include stricter identity verification requirements, more rigorous documentation rules, and expanded audit procedures to enhance accountability and prevent future abuses.
