VINCE Podcast: "Vance Declares 'War on Fraud' and SAVE Act Showdown Erupts"
Host: Vince Coglianese
Episode: 234 | February 26, 2026
Podcast Network: Cumulus
Guest: Harmeet Dhillon (Assistant Attorney General, DOJ Civil Rights Division)
Episode Overview
This high-energy episode centers on two major fronts in conservative politics:
- The Trump administration’s intensifying push against government fraud—now personified in Vice President J.D. Vance’s newly expanded portfolio—and the massive scale of fraud identified in programs like Medicaid.
- The contentious battle surrounding the SAVE Act, legislation to strengthen election integrity and prevent non-citizen voting, with acute focus on Republican tactics in the Senate.
The episode also includes updates on FBI raids related to school district corruption and new revelations about FBI surveillance of Trump campaign officials during the Biden administration. In a detailed and forceful interview, Harmeet Dhillon discusses DOJ civil rights lawsuits against school districts and prestigious universities, and weighs in on the SAVE Act as a civil rights issue.
Major Discussion Points & Highlights
1. State of the Union “Stand or Sit” Moment
Key Segment: [00:00–06:03]
- Vince opens by recapping President Trump’s lengthy State of the Union address, emphasizing a dramatic moment when Trump told attendees:
“If you love America, stand up and if you prefer illegal aliens, stay seated.”
- Vince reacts with animated commentary, ridiculing Democrats for not standing and calling it the "cheat code to win the election."
- J.D. Vance’s Response [04:53]:
“Not only will they not stand for the idea that Americans should come first, they won't even have the courage of their convictions... They lean on the person to their left and right, rather than actually have some conviction. That is, unfortunately, what's true about Democrats in Washington today.”
— J.D. Vance ([05:25])
2. The Fraud Crackdown: Vance’s New Mandate
Key Segment: [06:03–23:18]
Ilhan Omar’s Disruption & the Minnesota Fraud Scandal
- Vince excoriates Rep. Ilhan Omar for disrupting the State of the Union, accusing her of defending fraudsters and referencing ongoing massive fraud in Minnesota:
“She's constantly trying to protect a fraud operation in Minnesota that's stealing, what, $20 billion at least from us.”
- Vince ties this to Trump's high-profile announcement: J.D. Vance is spearheading a national anti-fraud initiative.
J.D. Vance on the Scale and Mechanics of Fraud
[12:09]
- Vance highlights three major areas:
- Billions in federal benefits (e.g., Medicaid, daycare subsidies) diverted to “illegal aliens.”
- Complicity of government officials, sometimes in exchange for donations.
- DOJ now tasked with criminal investigations; Treasury Department analyzing tax fraud.
“The Trump administration, the president has asked me to take a full, whole government approach to trying to understand that... The Department of Justice is going to be investigating and, where possible, throwing fraudsters in prison.”
— J.D. Vance ([12:09])
The “Julio” Tapes: Inside View of Fraud
[15:57]
- Vince plays clips from an ex-fraudster (“Julio”) to illustrate the ease and profitability of scamming federal benefit programs:
“Millions of dollars. Very easy to steal. Very easy to steal from the taxpayer. And there are no consequences? No. No consequences. None at all.”
Cutting off Funds to Minnesota
[18:06]
- Vance and Dr. Oz announce freezing federal Medicaid payments to Minnesota to force a crackdown on fraud.
“We are stopping the federal payments that will go to the state government until the state government takes its obligations seriously...”
— J.D. Vance ([18:06])
Dr. Oz: The $300 Billion Fraud Bombshell
[18:51]
- Dr. Oz reveals estimate: $300 billion per year lost to fraud, waste, and abuse in U.S. health care.
"If we could reduce fraud by 5%...we would allow [the Medicare trust fund] not to expire in five to six years. We would double its life expectancy...We’re not going to let fraudsters steal it from you.”
— Dr. Oz ([18:51])
Introducing the New Fraud Prosecutor
[23:18]
- Senator Eric Schmitt updates on Colin McDonald’s confirmation as national fraud prosecutor, emphasizing high-level prosecutions ahead:
“Could be a trillion dollars a year of fraud that's happening in this country...we need to prosecute and also have some tools on the front end to make sure this stuff doesn't happen again.”
— Eric Schmitt ([23:25])
3. FBI & Election Integrity Scandals
Key Segment: [23:55–34:00]
FBI Raids in Los Angeles Unified School District
[23:55]
- Vince discusses an FBI raid on Los Angeles’ school district, suggesting deep corruption linked to a failed AI contract.
Revelations of FBI Spying on Trump Campaign
[28:45]
- Breaking news: Subpoenas during Biden administration for communications of Cash Patel, Susie Wiles (Trump campaign manager), described as “spying on Trump's campaign again.”
“They catch people involved on spying on Trump’s campaign again. And the incoming FBI director...obviously [wants] to hold the intelligence community accountable...”
— Vince ([31:42])
4. In-Depth Interview: Harmeet Dhillon (DOJ Civil Rights)
Key Segment: [35:17–50:45]
School District and Elite University Lawsuits
[35:17]
- DOJ targeting Los Angeles Unified School District for racial discrimination (resource allocation based on race).
- Aggressive Title IX enforcement in Michigan (parental rights over gender curriculum).
- Lawsuits against UCLA for “heinous antisemitic conduct,” and Harvard for refusing data after losing Supreme Court case.
“It’s illegal to discriminate against people on the basis of their race for government benefits. We’re going to put a stop to this in Los Angeles Unified School District...”
— Harmeet Dhillon ([35:43]) - On Harvard:
“Harvard has been playing hide the ball...They have simply refused to negotiate with us in good faith.” ([39:17])
Settlements & Institutional Cooperation
[40:43]
- Several elite institutions (Columbia, Cornell, Northwestern, Penn, Brown) have settled with DOJ, agreeing to reforms and financial penalties.
“Columbia...came to the table...We reached a landmark settlement...largest antisemitism class action lawsuit settlement that the EEOC was ever able to obtain in history.”
— Dhillon ([41:12])
Reprisal Threats from the Left
[44:16]
- Vince and Dhillon discuss threats from political opponents, notably comments by Susan Rice about punishing institutions that comply with DOJ civil rights enforcement.
“What are they going to do to us with their new rules? Chase us down and behead us in the streets? Who knows?”
— Dhillon ([45:19])
On the SAVE Act as Civil Rights Law
[49:24]
- Dhillon unequivocally supports the SAVE Act as a civil rights measure:
“Voting rights are a civil right...This Civil Rights Division has filed 25 lawsuits...to obtain their voter rolls or to deal with actual known issues...We’re on that and looking at other cases as well.”
— Dhillon ([49:24])
5. The Senate’s SAVE Act Showdown
Key Segment: [50:46–58:55]
Republican Leadership Reluctance & Internal Debate
- Vince sharply critiques GOP Senate leadership (esp. John Thune) for only offering a "show vote," not serious legislative action.
“That’s not the answer I wanted...What I need is for the Save America Act to become law.”
- John Thune’s Press Conference Comments ([54:25]):
“The talking filibuster issue is one on which there is not certainly a unified Republican conference. There would have to be...There isn't support for doing that at this point.” — Sen. John Thune
- Vince urges listeners to keep pressure on senators for a real filibuster fight, not symbolic votes.
Sen. Mike Lee: Expose the Holdouts
- Mike Lee:
“It’s awfully easy...to tell you that they don't want to do something by claiming that they can't do something. So make them show their work. The truth is this. It could work and it needs to work.”
- Vince: “If you're opposed to using the means available to you...you're actually opposed to passing the SAVE Act. That's what's happening.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:53 | J.D. Vance | “Not only will they not stand for the idea that Americans should come first, they won't even have the courage of their convictions...” | | 12:09 | J.D. Vance | “The Department of Justice is going to be investigating and...throwing fraudsters in prison...” | | 18:51 | Dr. Oz | “If we could reduce fraud by 5%...we would double [the Medicare trust fund's] life expectancy...” | | 23:25 | Eric Schmitt | “Could be a trillion dollars a year of fraud that's happening in this country...” | | 35:43 | Harmeet Dhillon| “It’s illegal to discriminate against people on the basis of their race for government benefits...” | | 41:12 | Harmeet Dhillon| “We reached a landmark settlement...largest antisemitism class action lawsuit settlement that the EEOC was ever able to obtain in history.” | | 45:19 | Harmeet Dhillon| “What are they going to do to us with their new rules? Chase us down and behead us in the streets? Who knows?” | | 49:24 | Harmeet Dhillon| “Voting rights are a civil right...And in fact, we do view it as a civil rights issue.” | | 54:25 | John Thune | “[The talking filibuster] is one on which there is not certainly a unified Republican conference...There isn't support for doing that at this point.” | | 57:25 | Mike Lee | “It's all the more reason why you should be deeply suspicious of senators telling you, sorry, we can’t...because the Senate rules won’t allow it.” |
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00 – State of the Union “Stand or Sit” & Media Reactions
- 04:53 – J.D. Vance Reacts & Cowardice Accusations
- 06:03 – Minnesota Fraud, Ilhan Omar, Trump’s Fraud War Announcement
- 12:09 – J.D. Vance Explains Fraud Crackdown
- 15:57 – “Julio” Tapes: Inside Federal Fraud
- 18:06 – Medicaid Freeze Announcement; Dr. Oz on Healthcare Fraud
- 23:18 – Colin McDonald’s Fraud Prosecutor Confirmation
- 23:55 – FBI Raids on LA School District
- 28:45 – FBI Spying Scandal Breaks
- 35:17 – Harmeet Dhillon Interview: DOJ Civil Rights Lawsuits & University Settlements
- 49:24 – Save America Act as Civil Rights Law
- 50:46 – Senate Debate: Show Vote vs. Talking Filibuster
- 54:25 – John Thune, Republican Divisions & Procedural Details
- 58:55 – Mike Lee’s Call for Transparency
Tone & Language
- Vince’s style is rapid-fire, forceful, combative, and laced with sarcasm and humor.
- The episode features sharp denunciations of Democrats and establishment Republicans.
- Harmeet Dhillon is factual, legalistic, but also sharply critical of institutional resistance to change.
Conclusion
This episode is a sweeping indictment of corruption (primarily in government benefits and education), a rallying cry for conservative legislative priorities, and a high-level insider briefing on national politics. For those seeking real-time insight into the conservative movement's priorities—and strong opinions about how to achieve them—this episode is both informative and entertaining. The demands for action on fraud and election integrity take center stage, with no shortage of criticism for those perceived as obstacles—even within the GOP.
Action Item (per Vince):
Contact your senators to demand support for the "talking filibuster" and prompt passage of the SAVE Act.