U.S Vice President JD Vance has hailed the efforts by the anti-fraud task force in a visit to Maine.

Vance, who was selected by President Donald Trump to chair the anti-fraud task force, highlighted the Trump administration’s efforts to combat fraud, saying that the misuse of government social programs is not a victimless crime, but instead a harm to every American taxpayer.

“For the first time in a very long time, you’ve got an administration in Washington D.C. that is fighting for you, fighting to protect your tax dollars, and fighting to put the fraudsters in prison which is where they belong.”
JD Vance

The US Vice President has been promoting the work of the task force as he has campaigned for Republican candidates in recent months. However, today’s visit was the first that has been expressly billed as a stop to talk about the fraud-fighting efforts rather than the economic-focused message he’s delivered in other visits.

Acting Secretary of Labour Keith Sonderling also hailed the task force’s efforts, saying that the days of fraudsters taking advantage of the American Taxpayer are over. “Thanks to @POTUS, @VP, and the @WHFraudTF, we’re rooting out fraud, holding bad actors accountable, and putting the American people first,” he noted on social media.

He added that thanks to the anti-fraud task force, shocking levels of fraud that went unchecked for far too long has been uncovered.

“Nearly $29 billion went to the same Social Security numbers across multiple states. $139 million was paid to deceased individuals. More than BILLION sent to children under 14 claiming unemployment benefits. The days of fraudsters exploiting the American taxpayer are over. We are hunting down this fraud, holding bad actors accountable, and fighting to ensure Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars are protected!”
Keith Sonderling

In another post on X, he said expressed appreciation to Vance. “Together, under your leadership on the @WHFraudTF, we’ll continue working hard to root out fraud and corruption and protect American workers,” he said.

Vance’s Visit Comes Ahead Of Primary Elections

Vance’s visit to Maine comes as ahead of the state’s primary elections for several high-profile races as Maine residents begin voting ahead of the state’s primary elections on June 9, when they will be selecting candidates for Governor, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House.

The state’s Democratic Governor, Janet Mills, who is prevented by term limit laws from running for a third term, recently dropped out of the Democratic primary race to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins, effectively ceding the nomination to progressive activist and oyster farmer Graham Platner.

The seat is considered one of the most competitive in the nation and critical to Democratic hopes of reclaiming control of the chamber.

“I would love to work with the Governor of Maine to stop the fraud that’s being perpetrated in this state…This isn’t Republican or Democrat—this is common sense…[Mills] has actually fought back against our efforts to identify fraud in the Medicaid & Medicare programs.”
JD Vance

In the Governor’s race, seven Republicans and five Democrats are vying to replace Mills, who has sparred with the Trump administration over the issue of transgender athletes in high school sports.

Maine is a largely Democratic state, but Trump has proven popular in rural areas, and he has won the 2nd District in three consecutive elections. Mills had made her opposition to Trump a focus of her Senate run against Collins until she suspended her campaign in late April, clearing a path for Platner to take the nomination.

Republicans are also bullish about their chances of taking back the 2nd Congressional District, which encompasses Bangor, after Democratic Representative Jared Golden announced he wouldn’t be seeking reelection to the seat.

Former Governor Paul LePage, a Trump ally looking to make a political comeback, is the sole Republican vying for the nomination. Vance portrayed LePage as a partner-in-arms with his anti-fraud effort, and told the crowd that, “Fraud has festered in Maine because this guy is no longer the governor of Maine.”

He also praised Collins for her independence and lack of partisanship.

“Sometimes I get frustrated with Susan Collins. I almost wish she was more partisan. If she was as partisan as I wish she was, she would not be a good fit for the people of Maine.”
JD Vance

LePage appeared at the event, while Collins was scheduled to be in Washington.

Before Vance arrived, LePage told the crowd that if elected to represent Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, he would work with the Trump administration to crack down on fraud in social safety programs, which he characterized as rampant in his state.