Vice President J.D. Vance outlined the administration’s approach to combating fraud across federal programs during an exchange with independent journalist Nick Shirley, describing a coordinated effort aimed at increasing investigations and prosecutions nationwide.

The discussion centered on the creation of a federal fraud task force designed to improve how agencies identify and respond to fraudulent activity.

Shirley began by asking how the new initiative would differ from past efforts.

“Now that we have the fraud task force here inside the United States, what we guys be doing different than something that we haven't done before to tackle fraud here?” Shirley asked.

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Vance responded by pointing to two major changes in how the federal government will handle fraud cases moving forward.

“Well, two really big things,” Vance said.

He explained that coordination across agencies will be a key component of the effort.

“We're going to be coordinating across the government in a way that's really never been done before to focus on anti-fraud,” he said.

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He provided an example involving multiple departments.

“So let's say, for example, that Scott Bessent or somebody at the secretary of Treasury's office sees a fraudulent payment made,” Vance said.

He continued, “But it's not, you know, it's not at the Treasury Department. It's at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid.”

According to Vance, the new system is intended to ensure that information is shared across agencies.

“There's going to be coordination now, so that when one person in the government sees fraud happening, they're actually telling everybody else,” he said.

He added that this approach is designed to help investigators identify broader patterns.

“So that we can get to the root of it and hopefully prosecute it.”

Vance also emphasized changes within the Department of Justice.

“We've never before within the Department of Justice had a committed anti-fraud Task Force,” he said.

He noted the appointment of a dedicated official to oversee these efforts. “A committed assistant attorney general who's focused on the fraud issue.”

He explained that previous enforcement practices left certain cases unaddressed.

“What our new AAG focus on fraud has told me that right now, we don't even prosecute fraud that's under $1.5 million,” Vance said.

He added, “Which means there's a lot of fraudsters who never get caught, who never get punished, or changing that too.”

Shirley followed up by asking about the timeline for prosecutions under the new system.

“So there's people who are making $1.5 million committing fraud, and they used to not be prosecuted,” Shirley said.

He asked, “When can we expect to see prosecutions take place?”

Vance responded by pointing to recent developments within the Department of Justice.

“So we just got a AAG, our new AAG, confirmed,” he said.

He added, “He hasn't been sworn in yet. I'll swear him in next, next week, actually.”

Vance said the administration intends to move quickly, while acknowledging that investigations take time.

“I think the plan is we got to start doing prosecutions as quickly as possible,” he said.

He continued, “These cases take a little while to build. You've got to investigate, you've got to gather evidence.”

He expressed confidence that results would be visible in the near term.

“Now that we have that guy set up, now that we have Colin McDonald set up,” Vance said.

“I think in a matter of months, we should be seeing a significant ramp up in the number of prosecutions that we're seeing.”

The exchange concluded with brief closing remarks between the two. “Awesome. Thank you very much,” Shirley said.

Vance replied, “Of course. Good to meet you, man. Thanks for all your hard work.”

Shirley added, “Thank you, Let's let the fraudsters lear their lesson.”

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