Washington DC: US President Donald Trump announced a new government initiative on Tuesday to uncover fraud, corruption, and waste in federal spending, offering financial rewards to Americans who help identify misuse of taxpayer money.
The White House said that under the 'Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Programme', or WHIP, anyone who submits a tip to fraud.gov that leads to a fraud conviction or a significant federal enforcement action is eligible to receive up to $30,000, and that the Justice Department will administer the programme.
Trump and Vice President JD Vance announced the $25 million programme to encourage the public to blow the whistle on suspected fraud in the US government as they ramp up efforts to end the abuse of federal programmes and dollars.
Under the program, Trump said individuals whose information leads to the recovery of government funds would receive a 1% commission. He said rewards could amount to millions of dollars in cases involving large sums and suggested journalists could also qualify for payments if they help uncover fraud.
Vice President JD Vance said the initiative would help combat abuse of taxpayer-funded programs, arguing that fraud diverts resources from Americans who rely on government assistance and public services.
Trump also said he would personally act as the final arbiter in disputes over reward claims, promising a "binding arbitration" process to determine which whistleblower is entitled to compensation.
Asked whether savings from cutting fraud and government waste could reduce the federal deficit, Trump said they would make "a tremendous difference" and linked deficit reduction efforts to his administration's attempts to shrink US trade deficits with countries including Canada and Mexico.
The Republican president has undertaken an aggressive effort to eliminate fraud in government, establishing a task force on the topic in March and putting Vance in charge of it.
Critics have accused Trump and his family of profiting from the presidency through their many business ventures. The White House has countered by saying that Trump acts only with the best interests of the American people in mind.
Vance, who said his work leading the task force is “fun”, said tax dollars are being stolen.
“The president has said it must stop. It is stopping. And if you want to help us stop it, you get to share in the rewards," the vice president said.
Trump was expected during the event to present a $10,000 check to Nick Shirley, a right-wing influencer who posted a video last year that said members of Minnesota's Somali community were running fake childcare centres to collect federal subsidies.
The 24-year-old's video caught the attention of the Trump administration and conservative activists, though inspectors said the centres were operating as expected. Investigations, searches and arrests followed.
“When you expose fraud, you help save America,” said Shirley, adding that fraud steals from poor and needy people.
In July, one woman, Fahima Mahamud, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States by submitting inflated reimbursement claims for meals allegedly served to children at her childcare centre, according to the Justice Department.
(With agency inputs from AP/PTI, Reuters)
