Trump Deputizes Americans To Ferret Out Fraud
That’s odd.
I watched the White House announcement today about a newly formed Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program aimed at deputizing all Americans, including journalists, to help the government ferret out fraud - yet I couldn’t find a word about it in The New York Times.
Oh, the front page was full of anti-Trump, anti-GOP stories, there was also a piece on Houdini, several on France and one on Kimberly Guilfoyle. But the new program to help put an end to the looting of American taxpayers?
Nada.
Maybe tomorrow. What’s the hurry?
The magnitude of theft and abuse of our social welfare programs is staggering. It was announced yesterday that the feds are seeking full asset seizure of a half city block in Minneapolis that was purchased using SNAP money.
That was money intended to feed the poor, by the way.
Offering cash commissions for those who find and report fraud may help bring a crashing end to much of the thievery and infuse independent journalism with the funds needed to launch investigations.
At the same time as the whistleblower program goes into effect, the president is pushing Congress to pass mandatory minimum prison sentences for those who rip off taxpayers, putting an end to the slaps on the wrist many of these fraudsters receive from district judges. Trump also wants laws that would make government officials who know about fraud or who enable it to be held liable for their action or inaction.
Looking at you, Tim Walz.
If a citizen reports a case of someone or an agency stealing tax dollars and reports it, they can collect a reward equal to 10% of the money recouped.
I like it.
It could make rich men out of muckraking independent journalists like Nick Shirley, who uncovered the massive Minneapolis fraud that included the infamous “Learing Center.”
The 24-year old enterprising reporter was part of the group in the Oval Office and he was given a $10,000 check.
He deserves much, much more.
Shirley pointed out that when he reported on Somali fraud in Minneapolis the legacy media didn’t join in. Instead they began investigating HIM.
“Did that surprise you?” Trump asked.
Yes, it did.
As Nick Shirley proves, all it takes is an enterprising independent journalist with a hoodie and a camera phone to bring down a governor - who was almost vice president - and uncover a snake pit of theft.
Independent journalists, don you hoodies and start your engines.
