US Vice President JD Vance holds a press conference to discuss “anti-fraud initiatives” in the Indian Treaty Room at the White House complex in Washington, DC, US, May 13, 2026.
Evelyn Hockstein Reuters
Democratic state attorneys general declined an invitation from Vice President JD Vance to discuss anti-fraud programs at the White House on Tuesday, saying they were invited on Friday, days after their Republican colleagues were asked to attend.
“While we would appreciate the opportunity to engage in serious discussions, the invitation was given on one business day’s notice with no agenda,” the 24 AGs wrote Vance in a letter Tuesday.
“This short notice is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation that has long defined our efforts in cooperation with state partners,” the letter said. “Therefore, we respectfully decline to attend at this time.”
Among the AGs who declined to attend was Keith Ellison of Minnesota, whose position has been the focus of the Trump administration’s actions against fraudulent Medicaid programs involving child care centers.
Other Democratic AGs have scheduled a press conference on the situation at 4:15 pm ET, Tuesday, about two hours after the roundtable is scheduled to begin at the White House.
A person familiar with the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the non-public details of the event, told CNBC that Tuesday’s event was planned for only Republican AGs, but Vance himself said it would be embarrassing if Democrats did not participate. That person said most Democratic AGs’ offices will be represented at the event by their chiefs of staff or chief deputy AGs.
Politico first reported on the Democratic AGs’ decision not to attend and their letter to Vance, whom President Donald Trump in March appointed to chair the new Anti-Fraud Task Force.
In addition to Vance, the event is expected to include Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson, who is the group’s vice chairman.
As of Monday, 16 Republican AGs had said they would attend.
In their letter to Vance, the Democratic AGs said, “We are committed to stopping fraud, waste and abuse in all government programs in our states, and we are proud of our continued partnership with the federal government in this effort.”
“The public safety net is critical – especially given today’s crisis – and we are committed to ensuring that these critical systems operate with integrity and efficiency,” the letter said.
The White House did not comment on the letter.
“With proper notice and a real opportunity to negotiate, we would welcome the opportunity to participate in a future meeting and participate in a productive discussion,” the letter said.
Trump’s executive order that created the task force said it would target “a broad program of benefits for citizens in need including housing, food, health care, financial assistance and more.”
Individual states administer those programs, which receive federal funding.
“The staggering fraud and waste in Minnesota alone is an example,” the order said. “State prosecutors estimate that Medicaid fraud in recent years could be in the billions. About 9 percent of the estimated $866 million spent on food stamps in Minnesota each year is estimated to be misused.”
