Trump asks Congress for prison terms in benefits fraud cases

President Donald Trump has asked Congress to require prison sentences for people convicted of fraud involving Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, bar probation for those offenses, and double sentences for repeat convictions. He also proposed making state and local politicians personally liable for taxpayer losses if they know about fraud, have the ability to stop it and fail to act. The measures are proposals, not current law. Trump outlined the plan in a video posted to Truth Social on Saturday, October 3. He said prison terms should grow with the amount stolen, while a second fraud conviction should bring twice the sentence. The proposal does not specify sentencing ranges, and the reports describe no detailed legal standard for determining when an official knew about fraud or could have prevented it. Congress would need to pass legislation before the proposed penalties could take effect. Lawmakers would also have to define the offenses covered and establish how the sentencing and personal-liability provisions would work. The statement does not set out those details, leaving the scope and enforcement of the plan unresolved.