US President Donald Trump, during his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, declared a new “war on fraud” targeting what he described as widespread corruption in Democratic-led states, naming Vice President JD Vance to lead the initiative.
Trump specifically accused members of Minnesota’s Somali American community of acting as “pirates” involved in a massive fraud scheme that he claimed has cost the nation $19 billion. “We have all the information,” Trump asserted, though he provided no supporting evidence or documentation during the speech. He further alleged that “in actuality, the number is much higher than that,” and named California, Massachusetts, Maine, and “many other states” as even worse offenders.
“This is the kind of corruption that shreds the fabric of a nation, and we are working on it like you wouldn't believe,” Trump said. “So tonight, although it started four months ago, I am officially announcing the war on fraud to be led by our great Vice President JD Vance.”
The White House did not immediately release additional details about the scope, structure, legal basis, timeline, or specific targets of the initiative. No executive order, legislation, or formal announcement accompanied the declaration, leaving unclear how the “war on fraud” would be implemented—whether through existing agencies such as the Department of Justice, FBI, or IRS, new task forces, or other mechanisms.
The remarks about Minnesota’s Somali American community drew immediate criticism from civil rights organizations, Democratic lawmakers, and community leaders, who described the language as inflammatory, unsubstantiated, and potentially inciting. The Somali American population in Minnesota, concentrated in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area, has been a frequent target of political rhetoric since the 2016 and 2020 election cycles, often linked to unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud or welfare abuse.
Trump’s reference to “pirates” appeared to echo earlier conspiracy theories and social media narratives alleging large-scale fraud involving federal benefits programs in certain communities. No major federal investigation or audit has publicly substantiated claims of fraud on the scale alleged.
The announcement comes amid ongoing partisan battles over election integrity, government spending, and immigration policy. Trump has repeatedly accused Democratic-led states and cities of corruption, mismanagement, and enabling fraud in programs ranging from unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic to disaster relief and social services.
Vice President Vance, a former senator from Ohio known for his populist rhetoric, has not yet commented publicly on his new role or the specifics of the initiative. The White House press office did not respond to immediate requests for clarification on the legal or operational framework.
The State of the Union address, delivered to a divided Congress, also covered other domestic and foreign policy priorities, but the “war on fraud” declaration emerged as one of the most provocative lines, quickly drawing reactions across political spectrums.
Democrats criticized the statement as baseless fearmongering and an attempt to smear minority communities, while some Republican lawmakers and conservative commentators praised it as a long-overdue focus on accountability in federal spending.
As of Wednesday morning, no formal documentation, executive action, or inter-agency coordination details had been released to support the announced initiative.
