WASHINGTON – Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on March 16, 2026, to establish a national task force to combat fraud in welfare programs. JD Vance will serve as the chairman of this task force. The signing ceremony will take place in the Oval Office, marking the next step in what the Trump administration calls the “war on fraud” in benefit programs, following a series of major executive orders issued recently. According to the draft executive order, the task force will focus on developing a national strategy to detect and prevent fraud in assistance programs managed by federal, state, and local governments. Programs that could be affected include housing, food assistance, healthcare, and financial aid. Documents describing the plan suggest that many states are at risk of large-scale fraud due to weak oversight systems. States mentioned include California, New York, Illinois, Maine, and Colorado. According to the plan, Andrew Ferguson will serve as vice chairman of the task force, while policy advisor Stephen Miller will participate as a senior advisor. The task force is tasked with developing new anti-fraud standards, including identity verification requirements, additional documentation to prove eligibility for benefits, and enhanced auditing. The Trump administration claims that welfare program fraud has cost billions of taxpayer dollars and affected the sustainability of America's social support systems. This initiative was announced after the federal government highlighted a social welfare fraud scandal in Minnesota, where dozens of people were prosecuted in connection with nutrition programs and childcare for children with autism. Previously, President Trump announced plans to establish the anti-fraud task force during his State of the Union address to Congress on February 24, 2026.

Read more