Twenty-four Democratic state attorneys general declined the White House invitation to Vice President JD Vance’s anti-fraud initiatives roundtable held on May 26, 2026, citing less than one business day's notice and the absence of a meeting agenda [1]. The invitation was sent on the Friday before the Tuesday event, days after Republican attorneys general received their invitations. The Democrats said the timing "does not match the spirit of collaboration" that has long defined their federal partnerships and therefore respectfully declined to attend [1].
Among those declining was Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, whose state has been targeted for Medicaid fraud investigations by the Trump administration [1]. The Democratic AGs emphasized their commitment to combating fraud, waste, and abuse, stating, "The social safety net is critical — especially given today's affordability crisis — and we are dedicated to ensuring these crucial programs operate with integrity and efficiency" [1]. Despite the official decline, multiple Democratic AG offices sent chiefs of staff or principal deputies to represent them at the event [1]. Some Democratic offices planned press conferences two hours after the roundtable began [1].
Vice President JD Vance, appointed in March 2026 as chairman of President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, has been leading a national initiative against fraud in government programs, pointing to major cases in states such as Maine, Minnesota, and California [1, 2]. Vance described Maine as a "bronze medalist" in fraud behind California and Minnesota during a May speech in Bangor, Maine, where he outlined ongoing efforts [2]. Several Medicaid and Medicare fraud schemes uncovered in Maine between December 2025 and March 2026 involved over $60 million in improper payments, including a $1.5 million Medicare overcharge by a behavioral health company and $15 million pocketed by a single woman through fraudulent billing [2].
Federal agencies such as the Small Business Administration and the Justice Department have identified $22.2 billion in pandemic-era fraud, with arrests related to a $340 million scheme made by the Justice Department’s anti-fraud division [2]. As of the Monday before the event, 16 Republican attorneys general confirmed attendance at the roundtable [1]. FCC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, vice chair of the fraud task force, was also expected to attend [1].
The roundtable was initially planned only for Republican AGs, but Vance personally encouraged participation from Democratic AGs, who ultimately declined the invitation due to the short notice [1]. The latest concrete development is that officials from some Democratic AG offices participated in the event in a limited capacity despite the formal decline, signaling continued engagement in fraud discussions beyond the meeting itself [1].
