DC Council Expels Member Alleged to Have Accepted Bribes
The removal of Trayon White marks the first instance of the council expelling a member. His trial is set for January 2026.
WASHINGTON—On February 4, the D.C. local council unanimously expelled member Trayon White amidst bribery accusations.
This expulsion is unprecedented for the 13-member D.C. Council, as it requires all but one of the members to agree, and White was ineligible to vote on his own expulsion.
At 40 years old, White was arrested and indicted in August 2024 for allegedly accepting tens of thousands in bribes from a contractor. He has entered a plea of not guilty.
The former council member allegedly attempted to “influence government employees” at the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and the D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services to “extend various D.C. contracts” totaling $5.2 million, as per the DOJ.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew Graves remarked at the time, “Given that the investigation involved contracts poised for approval and other official actions, we took immediate measures to tackle the alleged crimes we were examining.”
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Prior to the February 4 vote, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson stated, “Bribery of elected officials epitomizes corruption.”
“Trust is invaluable. It is essential for an elected government, and we must take action.”
White’s Ward 8 seat will remain vacant until a special election is conducted in the coming months.
Despite his expulsion, White, who won reelection in November 2024, is eligible to run for his former seat, as he has not yet been convicted. His trial is scheduled to commence in January 2026.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
