U.S. President Trump promised a reward of $1 million for anyone who provides clues related to "election fraud" in past elections or upcoming mid-term elections, which could lead to the arrest and conviction of suspects.
On October 26th local time, Trump posted an announcement on social media.
Currently, there is only about a week left before the U.S. midterm elections. The results of these elections could change the power structure of Congress. If the Republicans lose control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, it will be even more difficult for Trump to implement his policy agenda.
Later that day, in a video released at the White House, Trump described this million-dollar payment as "a bonus, an award, or whatever you want to call it."
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The Financial Times reports that in recent weeks, the White House has increased its efforts to arrest and indict non-citizens for “election offenses.”
On the 26th, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it has filed charges against 48 non-citizens in Pennsylvania, California, Florida, New York, and Nevada, accusing them of ‘illegal voting, fraudulent voter registration, and other electoral-related crimes’.
Trump has long claimed that US elections are riddled with “fraud,” but has never offered any evidence.
This is not the first time Trump has offered cash to his voters. Last month, Trump said that if the Republican Party continued to control Congress this fall, he would give each adult American citizen $5,000 in ‘bonuses’.
It is still unclear how Trump will fulfill any payments, as the right to use federal funds lies with Congress.
When asked whether Trump considered that the reward needs congressional approval and what the source of funds would be, the White House merely stated that Trump had announced the plan on social media. The US Department of Justice has not commented on this matter.
