Vice President JD Vance is making his own lane for the 2028 Republican presidential primary and using his anti-fraud task force to do it.Vance delivered an ultimatum on Wednesday to all 50 governors: Crack down on fraud or lose federal Medicaid funding.“Today, we are sending across 50 Medicaid programs letters that will require them to show that they are effectively and aggressively prosecuting Medicaid fraud in their states. And if they do not aggressively prosecute Medicaid fraud, we are going to turn off the money that goes to these anti-fraud units,” Vance told reporters in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building’s Indian Treaty Room.
The vice president added, “If we continue to find problems, we can turn off other resources within their state Medicaid programs as well.”
Vance is now expected to amplify the message during a Thursday swing through Maine, where he will also campaign for former Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s House bid.
The anti-fraud message provides Vance with the opportunity to present himself as an important member of the Trump administration at a time when the president and his aides are simultaneously coming under pressure over issues ranging from Iran to convicted sexual offender Jeffrey Epstein.
