Trayon White Ousted Amid FBI Bribery Case, May Run Again \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The D.C. Council has expelled Councilmember Trayon White after he was charged with accepting bribes in an FBI investigation. White, 40, was arrested in August 2023 and faces a federal trial in 2026, accused of taking cash payments from a city contractor. The unanimous vote marks the first expulsion in modern D.C. history. Despite his legal troubles, White remains popular in Ward 8, where he has long been a political protege of former Mayor Marion Barry. With no felony conviction yet, White could still run for re-election in a special election.
Trayon White’s Expulsion: Quick Looks
- D.C. Council expelled Trayon White in a unanimous vote over federal bribery charges.
- White allegedly accepted cash bribes from a city contractor-turned-informant.
- His federal trial begins in January 2026, but preliminary evidence shows him pocketing cash-stuffed envelopes.
- It’s the first expulsion in modern D.C. Council history, following past ethics scandals.
- White refused to cooperate with the council’s internal investigation into his alleged misconduct.
- He continues to portray himself as a victim of the FBI, mirroring the Marion Barry legacy.
- Despite his arrest, White was re-elected in 2023, demonstrating strong support in Ward 8.
- He remains eligible to run in the special election as long as he is not convicted of a felony.
- Critics say White lacks Barry’s civil rights credentials, but he has built a loyal base in low-turnout elections.
- D.C. historians believe White could win back his seat, given his deep grassroots connections.
Deep Look: D.C. Council Expels Trayon White Over Corruption Charges
The D.C. Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to expel Councilmember Trayon White, marking the first expulsion in modern city history. White, who represents Ward 8, was arrested in August 2023 on federal bribery charges and faces trial in January 2026. He is accused of taking cash payments from a city contractor in exchange for influencing government contracts.
Despite the strong evidence against him, White has refused to cooperate with the council’s internal investigation. Instead, he has portrayed himself as the victim of an FBI setup, following the political playbook of his late mentor, former Mayor Marion Barry. White’s unwavering support in Ward 8, where he was re-elected in 2023, suggests that his political career may not be over. As long as he is not convicted of a felony, White is eligible to run in the upcoming special election to fill his seat.
The FBI Investigation and White’s Arrest
White’s legal troubles began when the FBI launched an undercover investigation into city contract corruption. Authorities say that a city contractor turned informant provided White with cash payments in exchange for favorable contract decisions. Video and photographic evidence allegedly show White accepting envelopes stuffed with cash.
The arrest shook the D.C. political establishment, as White was seen as one of the most visible and active politicians in Ward 8. His deep community ties and reputation as a hands-on representative made the allegations even more shocking.
Despite the mounting evidence, White has denied all wrongdoing and refused to step down. Instead, he has doubled down on his claims of political persecution, attempting to frame his arrest as an FBI conspiracy against Black politicians.
A Historic Vote for Expulsion
The D.C. Council’s decision to expel White was not taken lightly. Expelling a sitting councilmember requires the support of 11 of the 12 remaining members, but the vote was unanimous.
Council Chairman Phil Mendelson delivered a strong statement before the vote, calling bribery “quintessential corruption” that destroys public trust in elected officials.
“Trust is precious. Trust is critical for an elected government, and we must act.”
The expulsion marks the first time in modern D.C. history that a councilmember has been forcibly removed from office. In 2019, Councilmember Jack Evans faced an expulsion vote over multiple ethics violations, but he chose to resign before the vote took place.
White, in contrast, chose to fight the allegations head-on, even as his colleagues moved decisively against him.
A Political Strategy Rooted in the Marion Barry Legacy
Throughout the investigation, White has leaned heavily on the legacy of Marion Barry, the former mayor and Ward 8 councilmember who was infamously arrested in an FBI sting operation in 1990.
Like Barry, White has dismissed the charges against him as politically motivated and has sought to rally support by attacking law enforcement. He has portrayed himself as a fighter for Black Washingtonians, many of whom still believe Barry was unfairly targeted by the FBI.
White’s defiance was on full display during Tuesday’s vote. He sat silently in the audience, surrounded by supporters, as a truck outside City Hall displayed images of White with messages reading “FBI set me up” and “Racist” under Mendelson’s photo.
Last week, White attended a council hearing wearing a shirt that read “THE FBI KILLED FRED HAMPTON,” referencing the 1969 police killing of the Black Panther leader.
His refusal to back down has resonated with many in Ward 8, where White has long been a visible and active presence in the community.
Can White Win Back His Seat?
Despite his legal troubles, White’s political future is far from over. In November 2023, just three months after his arrest, he won re-election with little opposition.
Now that he has been removed from office, a special election will be called to fill his seat. And unless he is convicted of a felony before then, he is free to run again.
Political experts believe White has a strong chance of regaining his seat, particularly because voter turnout in Ward 8 is historically low.
“What he learned from Barry is how to cultivate a relatively small but pretty fervent electoral base in a low-turnout ward,” said historian George Musgrove, author of Chocolate City: A History of Race and Democracy in the Nation’s Capital.
Musgrove, however, warned that White lacks Barry’s deep civil rights credentials. Before entering politics, Barry was a leading civil rights activist and chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
“Trayon wants to play that role, but he’s never built up that history,” Musgrove said.
Even so, White’s ability to mobilize supporters in Ward 8 means he could return to office if no strong challenger emerges.
A Community Divided
White’s removal has divided Ward 8, where he has long been a controversial yet influential figure.
To his supporters, White is a champion for the poor and working-class residents of Southeast D.C.. He has shown up at crime scenes, attended community events, and maintained a direct connection with constituents in ways few politicians do.
To his critics, White is a politician who got caught up in corruption and now refuses to take responsibility.
For many, the situation feels all too familiar. Marion Barry’s arrest did not end his political career, and White’s expulsion may not end his either.
What Happens Next?
White’s federal trial is scheduled for January 2026. If he is convicted of a felony, he will be permanently barred from holding public office.
In the meantime, the special election for Ward 8 will determine whether White’s political career is truly over or if he can mobilize his supporters to reclaim his seat.
If White does run, the election will test whether Ward 8 voters believe in his innocence or if his legal troubles are too much to overcome.
For now, White remains a free man, and in D.C. politics, anything is possible.
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