“Colin McDonald is a very Smart, Tough, and Highly Respected AMERICA FIRST Federal Prosecutor who has successfully delivered Justice in some of the most difficult and high stakes cases our Country has ever seen.”
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he has nominated Colin McDonald to serve as Assistant Attorney General for National Fraud Enforcement, a newly created position that would focus on investigating the misappropriation of federal funds.
“I am pleased to nominate Colin McDonald to serve as the first ever Assistant Attorney General for National FRAUD Enforcement, a new Division at the Department of Justice, which I created to catch and stop FRAUDSTERS that have been STEALING from the American People,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Colin McDonald is a very Smart, Tough, and Highly Respected AMERICA FIRST Federal Prosecutor who has successfully delivered Justice in some of the most difficult and high stakes cases our Country has ever seen. Together, we will END THE FRAUD, and RESTORE INTEGRITY to our Federal Programs. Congratulations Colin — STOP THE SCAMS!”
The new position will require Senate confirmation. McDonald currently serves as Associate Deputy Attorney General, where he reports to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. He previously served as Senior Counsel in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General and worked as an assistant US attorney from 2014 to 2025.
Vice President JD Vance announced the creation of the role earlier this month during a press briefing, as the Trump administration highlighted reports of widespread fraud in states including Minnesota and California.
“Colin McDonald is widely regarded as a thorough and highly competent attorney. He has an exceptional prosecutorial track record, which we look forward to seeing him put to use in his new role as Assistant Attorney General,” Vance said.
McDonald is known for his role in the 2020 conviction of former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha, his wife Katherine Kealoha, who served as the city prosecutor, and two police officers. The case, one of the largest public corruption cases in Hawaii’s history, involved a scheme in which an innocent man was framed in order to conceal the Kealohas’ own crimes.
Louis and Katherine Kealoha were found guilty of false arrest and obstruction of justice after using their authority to have Katherine Kealoha’s uncle arrested, accusing him of stealing their mailbox. In reality, the plot was designed to discredit him and conceal their own theft of $148,000 from a relative, money that was used to fund a lavish lifestyle.
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