President makes suggestion while announcing new program to reward tipsters who submit fraud allegations
Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that he would serve as “the arbitrator” of decisions in the justice department’s new anti-fraud program that awards compensation to those who submit tips resulting in conviction or significant federal enforcement.
While announcing the new program alongside JD Vance, the vice-president, who leads the White House’s taskforce to eliminate fraud, the president told reporters he had a solution for situations where multiple people submit a tip for the same alleged fraud.
“I was just thinking, when you do these things, sometimes there’s a dispute as to who turned ’em in and who didn’t turn ’em in, who’s supposed to get what and when, you know,” Trump told reporters.
“So I am going to do something, which I think people will like, I will be the arbitrator of all of these decisions. In other words, I’ll determine whether or not the person is deserving, and I will be very generous, believe me,” the US president said, resulting in laughter from the group.
It is unclear whether Trump was being genuine about his new role. The Department of Justice website says the department has “sole discretion” in issuing rewards and exercising its authority in the program.
The Guardian has asked the justice department and White House for comment.
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