Washington, Jan 9 (NationPress) U.S. Vice President JD Vance has revealed that the Trump administration will establish a new assistant attorney general role with nationwide authority to oversee fraud investigations, starting in Minnesota and expanding throughout the country.

“We are instituting a new assistant attorney general position with jurisdiction over fraud across the nation,” Vance informed journalists at the White House on Thursday. “Initially, this role will concentrate on Minnesota, but it will ultimately be a nationwide initiative.”

Vance elaborated that the administration is already tackling what he characterized as significant fraud operations based in Minneapolis, connected to public assistance and social service programs. “We have mobilized a substantial interagency task force to delve into this fraud,” he stated.

Highlighting ongoing efforts, Vance mentioned that the Department of Agriculture is addressing “SNAP fraud,” noting, “We have issued over 1,500 subpoenas through the Department of Justice to uncover the fraud ring.” He added, “We’ve executed nearly 100 indictments, primarily involving Somali immigrants, along with a few others.”

Vance asserted that the fraud issue transcends Minnesota. “This isn’t limited to Minneapolis,” he remarked. “Similar activities are occurring in states like Ohio and California.”

He commended Attorney General Pam Bondi for her swift action in initiating this project. “Establishing a role like this typically takes months, sometimes longer,” Vance said. “Upon recognizing the necessity for this assistant attorney general role, Pam had it ready in about a week.”

Vance indicated that the White House plans to expedite the staffing process. “We aim to announce the nomination in the coming days,” he noted, adding that he has discussed the matter with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who “has assured me of a quick confirmation for this official.”

Vance positioned the role as a functional equivalent to a special counsel, albeit under the oversight of the president and vice president.

“Many have suggested that we require a special counsel to investigate fraud in the United States. I concur, and that’s the purpose of this position,” he explained.

“It boasts all the advantages, resources, and authority of a special counsel,” with the distinction that it will be “managed from the White House under the president's supervision,” which he argued is “constitutionally legitimate.”

He added that the new appointee will be integrated into what he termed a “comprehensive interagency White House” initiative, aimed at “providing them with the resources, access to materials, and information to enhance their effectiveness.”

Vance stated this position would remain until “we uncover the full extent of what’s happening,” predicting it would last “at least through the remainder of the administration.”

The assistant attorneys general within the Justice Department oversee major divisions and can be assigned specific portfolios linked to national enforcement priorities.