Vice President JD Vance warned Thursday that the Trump administration would not stop pursuing welfare fraud.
His announcement came after federal prosecutors charged 15 people in Minnesota in connection with what officials described as massive schemes targeting Medicaid and social service programs.
“Our message is simple: if you were committing fraud, our task force will find you,” Vance said in a video message. “We’ll come after you, and we will not rest until justice is served.”
“Don’t defraud the American taxpayer,” he continued. “Don’t get rich by trying to steal from them, or we are going to come after you until justice is served. That’s our promise, and we’re going to stick to it.”
The Justice Department announced Thursday that the charges involved more than $90 million in alleged fraud tied to Medicaid and other taxpayer-funded assistance programs.
“We are bringing justice to some of America’s most vulnerable citizens and justice to the American taxpayer…if you are committing fraud, our task force will find you. We’ll come after you, and we will not rest until justice is served.” – VP Vance🔥 pic.twitter.com/C4UIvUeCXq
— Vice President JD Vance (@VP) May 22, 2026
According to Vance, the cases included two of the largest Medicaid fraud investigations in Minnesota history and what federal officials described as the largest autism fraud case ever brought by the federal government.
“With this action, we’re bringing justice to some of America’s most vulnerable citizens and justice to the American taxpayer,” Vance said.
The vice president specifically highlighted one defendant accused of billing Medicaid for around-the-clock care for a disabled man who was later found dead after allegedly receiving no actual services.
🎖️ Support our heroes abroad! 🎖️ Every HeroBox reminds a soldier they’re not forgotten ➡️➡️➡️ Let’s not leave anyone behind — DONATE NOW!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
“To get rich off taxpayers, even at the cost of others’ lives, just as that fraudster had for many months before,” Vance said. “This kind of behavior is sickening.”
The Minnesota investigations have drawn national attention in recent months after independent journalist Nick Shirley filmed visits to several organizations accused of receiving large amounts of taxpayer funding while providing questionable or unclear services.
The renewed push also comes as federal investigators expand Medicaid fraud probes into multiple states.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz told Fox News Digital that federal officials had already contacted several states over suspected fraud activity.
“We’ve written letters to Minnesota, California, a letter to Florida because we’re worried about the durable medical equipment fraud … New York, Maine, and there are more coming,” Oz said.
Oz added that investigators were monitoring all 50 states. Despite one of the federal warning letters being sent to Florida, Maine Gov. Janet Mills accused Trump of weaponizing the investigations politically.
“Addressing alleged fraud has become a political cudgel that he [President Trump] is using to desperately distract from his failing agenda,” Mills said.
“And let’s be clear about who he is using that cudgel against: Democratic-led states, and people like me who dare to stand up to him.”
Thursday’s announcement also revived attention surrounding Feeding Our Future, the Minnesota nonprofit at the center of a separate $250 million fraud case involving meals that prosecutors said were falsely claimed to have been served to children during the COVID pandemic.
Aimee Bock, the founder of Feeding Our Future, was sentenced Thursday to nearly 42 years in prison.
Federal officials also announced Thursday that a suspect accused in one of the Minnesota healthcare fraud investigations had been captured after fleeing from law enforcement.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest in a post on X.
“After today’s interagency press conference announcing 15 public healthcare fraud indictments in Minnesota, the below subject who fled when FBI executed today’s raid — Muhammad Omar — has now been arrested,” Patel wrote.
After today’s interagency press conference announcing 15 public healthcare fraud indictments in Minnesota, the below subject who fled when FBI executed today’s raid – Muhammad Omar – has now been arrested.
He is charged with healthcare fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1349, 18 U.S.C. § 1347)… pic.twitter.com/av0WZDv3VU
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) May 21, 2026
FBI Co-Deputy Director Christopher Raia had earlier stated during a press conference that a suspect escaped by leaping from a fourth-story balcony.
Patel later identified Omar as being accused of healthcare fraud tied to a Housing Stabilization Services company.
“He is charged with healthcare fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1349, 18 U.S.C. § 1347) involving a Housing Stabilization Services company — with fraudulent claims for services not provided and diverting the proceeds for personal benefit,” Patel wrote. “Subject was located arrested within 2 hours.”
The Minnesota investigations also overlapped this week with comments Vance made regarding Rep. Ilhan Omar.
Speaking Tuesday about the administration’s anti-fraud task force, Vance referenced longstanding allegations surrounding the Minnesota Democrat’s past marriage.
“You read the things about Ilhan Omar… who she married and whether she didn’t marry this person or that person,” Vance told reporters.
“It certainly seems like something fishy is there, but everybody’s entitled to equal justice under the law.”
The comments followed a March podcast appearance with conservative commentator Benny Johnson.
During that interview, Vance said he had spoken with White House adviser Stephen Miller about potential legal action involving Omar.
“We think Ilhan Omar definitely committed immigration fraud against the United States of America,” Vance said at the time.
Omar has repeatedly denied allegations that she married a man critics claim was her brother as part of an immigration scheme.
Trump’s obsession with me is beyond weird. He needs serious help.
Since he has no economic policies to tout, he’s resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead.
He continues to be a national embarrassment. https://t.co/sFsGpxOf7o
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) December 10, 2025
The allegation has not been proven in public records. In December, Omar dismissed the accusations as “bigoted lies.”
On Wednesday, Omar also denied any connection to the Feeding Our Future scandal.
“Any claim that I had knowledge of this scheme is flat-out false,” Omar said in a statement to Fox News.
“The MEALS Act was signed into law by President Trump and passed with bipartisan support as part of a broader legislative package.”
“Trump’s USDA Secretary set the regulatory framework during the rollout of the program,” Omar continued.
“I have always championed feeding kids and will continue to ensure our children do not go hungry.”
Omar also said that the “moment this fraud came to light” she “immediately sent a letter to the USDA Secretary demanding answers and accountability.”
The Minnesota House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee later invited Omar to testify regarding the fraud case.
According to the report, she did not respond to the request, and Democrats on the committee later blocked an effort to subpoena information from her.
Democrat politicians are like rats leaving a sinking ship, they will claw at any lie that will keep them afloat.