Stand up for the facts!

Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.

More Info

I would like to contribute

$
Viral image
Viral image
stated on March 20, 2022 a Facebook post:

Joe Biden’s announcement that the Justice Department will name a chief prosecutor for pandemic fraud means “the government is going to investigate itself.”

False
By Ciara O'Rourke
March 23, 2022

No, the DOJ didn’t name a prosecutor to investigate federal fraud related to the pandemic

If your time is short

  • The Justice Department announced a chief prosecutor to lead a task force targeting people and businesses fraudulently tapping into federal relief money related to the pandemic. 
 
See the sources for this fact-check

In a TikTok video that excerpts President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, Biden can be heard off-screen announcing that “the Justice Department will soon name a chief prosecutor for pandemic fraud.” Attorney General Merrick Garland is seen nodding in agreement from a seat in the House chamber. 

The TikTok user responded with skepticism: “You’re telling me the government’s going to investigate itself for pandemic fraud?”

This post was shared on Facebook, where it was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)

On March 10, the Justice Department named Associate Deputy Attorney General Kevin Chambers as the director for COVID-19 fraud enforcement. So far, according to the Justice Department, that effort has resulted in more than 240 civil investigations for alleged misconduct related to pandemic relief loans. 

Chambers plans to focus on “large-scale criminal enterprise and foreign actors who sought to profit at the expense of the American people.” 

RELATED VIDEO
 

This isn’t a task force that will investigate the federal government. Before Biden said that he was announcing the soon-to-be-named pandemic fraud prosecutor, he said: “We’re going to go after the criminals who stole billions in relief money meant for small businesses and millions of Americans. 

We rate this post False. 

 
Our Sources

Facebook post, March 20, 2022

The New York Times, Full Transcript of Biden’s State of the Union Address, March 1, 2022

Politico, DOJ names chief prosecutor for pandemic fraud task force, March 10, 2022

Justice Department, ​​Justice Department Announces Director for COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement, March 10, 2022

 

Browse the Truth-O-Meter

More by Ciara O'Rourke
Viral image
stated on April 2, 2025 a Facebook post:
“White hats to investigate Wisconsin Supreme Court election.”
False
Facebook posts
stated on March 28, 2025 a Facebook post:
Photo shows a missing police officer in “extreme danger.”
Pants on Fire!
Facebook posts
stated on March 28, 2025 a Facebook post:
Images show damage from an “earthquake in Thailand.”
False

No, the DOJ didn’t name a prosecutor to investigate federal fraud related to the pandemic





Donald Trump
stated on May 4, 2026 a White House event:








Donald Trump
stated on April 23, 2026 remarks at the White House:







Chris Wright
stated on April 19, 2026 an interview on CNN's "State of the Union":