Grassley Supports Colin McDonald to be Fraud-Fighting Assistant Attorney General

Grassley Supports Colin McDonald to be Fraud-Fighting Assistant Attorney General

McDonald was confirmed by a vote of 52-47.

WASHINGTON - Ahead of the Senate's vote to confirm Colin McDonald as Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice's (DOJ) National Fraud Enforcement Division, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) voiced his support for McDonald's nomination on the Senate floor. Under Grassley's leadership, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced McDonald's nomination last Thursday, following his February confirmation hearing.

Video and a transcript of Grassley's floor remarks are below.

VIDEO

Floor Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee
"Nomination of Colin McDonald to be Assistant Attorney General"
Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Today, we're voting on Colin McDonald to serve as the Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's National Fraud Enforcement Division.

Historically, the president and the attorney general have organized the Justice Department to address the pressing needs that faced our nation.

I commend President Trump and Attorney General Bondi for doing so now to address the ongoing crisis of federal program fraud.

Republicans and Democrats can and should agree that fighting fraud - particularly fraud on the American taxpayers - is important work. And that is true now more than ever.

The Judiciary Committee held multiple hearings on the recent fraud in Minnesota.

Since then, other fraud schemes have been identified around the country.

These shocking fraud schemes target federal programs that were designed to help children with autism, the elderly and small businesses.

However, the victims of federal program fraud are not just the intended recipients of program funding.

The American taxpayers, who entrusted the government with their hard-earned money, are victims as well.

Mr. McDonald understands this, and he will fight to protect all victims of fraud.

In his hearing, Mr. McDonald committed to "prosecute criminals who exploit the generosity of our country by stealing from taxpayer-funded programs. Every dollar stolen is a dollar that didn't put bread on the table, that didn't reach the hospital bed, that didn't meet the need identified by Congress. Fraudsters should never be allowed to rip off the United States of America."

I agree with Mr. McDonald.

What happened in Minnesota and around the country is unacceptable. We, as elected officials, need to support the Justice Department in stopping this fraud.

Confirming Mr. McDonald as the head of national fraud enforcement is a critical first step.

Mr. McDonald is the right person to lead this effort.

He's spent his entire career in public service as an assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of California.

As a prosecutor, Mr. McDonald handled an array of criminal offenses, but he specialized in the investigation and prosecution of fraud: money laundering, unlawful transactions and tax crimes.

He's tirelessly worked to protect the rights of victims.

He's never shied away from hard cases - he's run towards them.

And at every turn, he's advocated with candor and the highest ethical standards.

In doing so, he's gained the respect of his colleagues, his opposing counsels and even the judges he's appeared before.

I believe that the American people will be in good hands with Mr. McDonald working on their side, and I encourage my colleagues to support his nomination.

-30-

• Print
• Email
• Like
• Tweet