On April 7, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche (note the DOJ website as of this morning still has Pamela Bondi as AG – update showing on 4/13/26) issued a Memorandum (here) that creates the National Fraud Enforcement Division (NFED). This division is to provide a centralized body for the investigation and prosecution of fraud matters, including those against taxpayer-funded programs. It consolidates these specific cases coming from several existing bodies (Criminal Division’s Tax Section, Health Care Fraud Unit, and Market, Government, and Consumer Fraud Unit) and places them in this new division. The Memo provides deadlines to accomplish the tasks of this new division. It also speaks about the establishment of a National Fraud Detection Center. It sounds like DOJ will be expanding hiring in this specific area and will also be designating a person in each US Attorneys Office to focus on this initiative. The Memo provides that, “[w]ithin 45 days of the realignment determination, the Office of Legal Policy shall review the Justice Manual, relevant Department guidance, regulations, and memoranda to determine whether updates or edits are required or prudent due to the creation ofthe National Fraud Enforcement Division. Required or recommended changes shall be submitted to the relevant officials for swift, appropriate action.” It also provides that “[t]he Justice Management Division and Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management shall support the National Fraud Enforcement Division’s participation in the Attorney General’s Honors Program.”
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