CBS News reports that Vice President JD Vance will chair a White House anti-fraud task force setting up shop in California and other states.

Citing multiple sources briefed on the plan, CBS reported Wednesday: “President Trump intends to sign an executive order in coming days naming Vice President JD Vance as chairman of the task force, a move that’s meant to signal the importance of the effort to the president.”

As it will be set up, the task force could sidestep existing the Department of Justice’s existing fraud units. One reason for this structure, a source told CBS, is that there has been resistance from career DOJ employees who don’t condone Trump’s priorities and tactics.

DOJ has seen a flood of resignations by prosecutors and other employees as the Trump administration has carried out its maximum enforcement blitz against undocumented residents.

Concerns are arising from Democrats and political watchdogs that Trump will use the task force to investigate people and states he considers enemies.

Newsom Defends California’s Anti-Fraud Efforts

Auditors in California already have uncovered billions in fraud, much of its centered on Medicare billing, unemployment claims, and pandemic assistance. However, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has said the state is vigorously pursuing and identifying scam artists.

The Trump administration has targeted fraud in Minnesota, where it is carrying out a high-profile immigration enforcement campaign that resulted in the shooting deaths of two American citizens.

The publicity generated by the president’s allegations of widespread fraud in Minnesota’s Somalian communities resulted in Gov. Tim Waltz dropping his bid for re-election.

The Trump administration announced last month that it would freeze about $10 billion in federal child care funds to Minnesota and other states, claiming the money was at risk of fraud.

Trump Pardons Convicted Large-Scale Scam Artists

While the president says he’s relentlessly pursuing fraud, he also has a history of pardoning criminals who pulled off massive scams.

For example, Trump pardoned Paul Walczak, a nursing home executive and top donor, who had been awaiting sentencing on tax fraud convictions.

He also pardoned Lawrence Duran, who was convicted of orchestrating what federal officials described as a “$205 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme.”

Elizabeth G. Oyer served as the top Department of Justice pardon attorney from 2022 to 2025. She told The New York Times that Trump has erased $1 billion in penalties and restitution with his pardons for people convicted of fraud.