Trump says U.S. will pay fraud whistleblowers, and he'll decide who is paid

President Trump said Tuesday that Washington will begin rewarding people who flag fraud against the government and taxpayers, and that Trump alone will judge who merits a payout. Vice President JD Vance, whose task force targets fraud for the administration, stood beside the president during the Oval Office event, according to CBS News.

Trump put the reward under the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program at 1% of the sum reported, with no ceiling. The government website America.gov/fraud, though, promises successful tipsters no more than $30,000, and only when charges follow. Pressed by CBS News, Trump backed the no-limit version and said charges are unnecessary. The site says tips are encrypted and sent to the Treasury Department, while the Justice Department administers the program.

Nick Shirley, a 20-something YouTuber, left the event with a $10,000 check; his video alleged fraud at Minnesota childcare centers. Vance said 99% of the fraud being found falls outside the False Claims Act, which already lets some whistleblowers claim up to 25% to 30% of recoveries. Naomi Seligman, president of Whistleblower Aid, was skeptical, saying Trump "is more interested in hunting down whistleblowers."

Summarized by PolitiKool from CBS News’s reporting. Read the full story at CBS News →