Trump says he would be 'arbitrator' in DoJ anti-fraud whistleblower program
Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would serve as 'the arbitrator' of decisions in the justice department's new anti-fraud whistleblower program, which rewards tips leading to conviction or significant federal enforcement with up to $30,000.
Trump says he would be 'arbitrator' in DoJ anti-fraud whistleblower program
Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would personally settle disputes under the justice department's new anti-fraud whistleblower program, telling reporters he would decide who gets rewarded when multiple people submit tips about the same fraud.
Trump's arbitration role
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said: "I will be the arbitrator of all of these decisions".
The announcement came alongside JD Vance, the vice-president, who leads the White House's taskforce to eliminate fraud. Trump said disputes could arise "sometimes" over who turned in a tip first, and that he would resolve them himself.
"I'll determine whether or not the person is deserving, and I will be very generous", Trump said, adding that any split of a disputed reward would be handled quickly and impartially.
How the program rewards tips
The program offers anyone who submits a tip a financial reward of up to $30,000 when the tip contributes at the charging stage of a criminal case.
Vance said the scheme differs from the False Claims Act, which lets whistleblowers who sue over financial fraud obtain 15% to 25% of financial penalties when the government intervenes and prosecutes.
- Under the False Claims Act, rewards depend on the government intervening and prosecuting a lawsuit
- The new program pays rewards at an earlier stage of investigation rather than waiting for large fines or forfeiture
- According to Vance, the scheme opens reward possibilities to government-related fraud cases that the False Claims Act does not reach
Asked about that gap, Vance said: "Over 99% of the fraud that we're finding in the federal government isn't covered by the False Claims Act".
Uncertainty and conflicting figures
It is not clear whether Trump was being genuine about his personal role: the justice department's website says the department has "sole discretion" over issuing rewards and authority in the program.
During the Oval Office announcement, Trump also suggested whistleblowers would obtain 1% of however much fraud was uncovered and could make "millions and millions" of dollars - figures that sit uneasily beside the website's stated $30,000 cap.
Vance said he and Trump created the program to incentivize more reporting of fraud like the kind Nick Shirley alleged. Shirley, a conservative influencer, drew widespread attention earlier this year with accusations of rampant fraud at Somali-run childcare centers in Minnesota. Trump also invited media members to take part, saying: "We're going to let the reporters partake because you know a lot of things that are happening" - reporters could receive the reward, he said, if their outlet allows it.
The Guardian has asked the justice department and White House for comment.
