U.S. President Donald Trump gestures to reporters during an event in the Oval Office of the White House on October 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
A new Justice Department whistleblower program promises big paydays to those who report certain federal healthcare offenses and fraud related to government programs and is designed to deliver a sizable chunk of those rewards much more quickly.
What they're saying:
"The president has said it must stop," Vice President JD Vance said about the abuse of federal programs. "It is stopping. And if you want to help us stop it, you get to share in the rewards."
Vance, who is leading anti-fraud efforts for the White House, joined President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday to announce the $25 million Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program, otherwise known as WHIP.
Big picture view:
The new initiative promises to pay rewards of $10,000 to $30,000 for information about certain fraud or criminal offenses that result in charges being filed, the DOJ explained. The innovation in this effort, its statement continued, pertains to when the funds are distributed.
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Quicker payouts
In many cases, whistleblower awards are not distributed until the criminal matter has been resolved, a time frame that can be extended through the forfeiture process and appeals. WHIP will distribute money much sooner in the process, the DOJ stated.
The agency believes that change will prompt more people to report offenses because they will have more certainty about how much the reward may be and when they could get it, explaining, "This new framework gives whistleblowers much-needed certainty and speed, and will incentivize citizens who are aware of fraud to report it."
Dig deeper:
Tips related to healthcare crimes and fraud related to government programs and benefits of certain federal agencies (listed here) will be eligible for WHIP rewards, the DOJ indicated. For healthcare crimes, submissions about fraud in hospices, home healthcare, daycare, and special services will be prioritized.
"This groundbreaking program will enlist the public as part of the fraud-fighting apparatus and reward them quickly for helping the country in the war on fraud," said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division.
What you can do:
People can submit tips about fraud to the federal authorities via the america.gov/fraud website. The DOJ noted that a person receiving WHIP awards may still be eligible for rewards from other government programs, such as the Criminal Division’s Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program. More details are available here.
The backstory:
The White House indicated that the first WHIP check, for $10,000, would go to Nick Shirley, who posted a video last year alleging that fake childcare centers were being operated in Minnesota’s Somali community to collect federal subsidies, the Associated Press reported.
The Trump administration credited Shirley’s video with the conviction of Fahima Mahamud in July on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the government. Prosecutors stated that she had inflated reimbursement claims for meals that were supposed to have been served at her childcare center.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from the Department of Justice and the Associated Press. This story was reported from Orlando.