Democrats reluctantly support Trump’s fraud initiative targeting Tim Walz

The US House of Representatives voted 352–72 on Wednesday to make President Donald Trump’s National Fraud Enforcement Division a permanent body within the Department of Justice, according to Fox News.

More than 140 Democrats, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, joined Republicans in backing the bill. The division, created in January 2026 to address fraud in federally funded programs, was previously used to refer Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison for potential criminal investigation over alleged welfare fraud. Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin offered “tepid support,” noting a fraud unit already existed, while Republican Jeff Van Drew called the measure a “nonpartisan commitment.”

Raskin also pressed Republicans over Trump’s pardons of white-collar offenders, questioning whether victims would receive restitution.