D.C. Councilmember Trayon White Faces Expulsion amid Corruption Trial
D.C. City Councilmember Trayon White is facing expulsion over alleged bribery charges as evidence suggests he received over $150,000 in bribes. A vote is scheduled soon.
Washington, D.C. City Councilmember Trayon White is facing the possibility of expulsion from city leadership as he endures an ongoing corruption trial regarding alleged bribery charges.
The FBI arrested White in August 2024, accusing him of receiving over $150,000 in bribes to steer the city’s contracting. Although the trial has not commenced, the FBI presented evidence indicating White accepted cash-filled envelopes from a bureau informant. The city council is set to vote on White's expulsion later today.
"This is quintessential corruption," stated Council Chairman Phil Mendelson in December. "There is only one remedy: to remove the corruption from our body. This incident has damaged the public trust necessary for government to function well."
In spite of the serious charges and supporting evidence, White was reelected to the city council in November, just three months post-arrest. His federal trial is scheduled to start in January 2026, and he has pleaded not guilty.
White expressed confidence in his support, stating, "I feel like I'm going to win by a landslide but I'm still humbled and prayerful." He voiced hopes that his reelection demonstrated a message to the D.C. Council emphasizing the importance of keeping decisions in the hands of the people.
Achieving his expulsion requires a unanimous vote from the other 11 city council members, and recent public sentiments from fellow council members have not been favorable towards White. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie remarked, "Councilmember White betrayed the trust of his staff, the council, the agencies and, above all, the residents of Ward 8."
Mendelson reiterated the need for public trust in government, remarking, "The public has to have trust in the government, they have to have trust in the legislature, they have to have trust in those who are elected."
Some council members expressed a desire for White to resign before any action is taken. Councilmember Robert C. White Jr. commented, "If you broke the council rules, and you know you broke the council rules, to put the council through this is something to think about."
