Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White has officially been expelled from DC Council for violating the body’s ethics rules. The council unanimously voted in favor of the expulsion, exceeding the 5/6 vote required to pass the motion. We watched the hearing and debriefed it with NBC’s Mark Segraves on today’s City Cast DC podcast.
White was stoic during yesterday’s events, announcing that he was “present” at the start of the meeting, but saying nothing else, even refusing to answer media questions upon exiting. He immediately had to turn in his keys and official cell phone and will be barred from all council matters starting today.
In Case You Missed It
White is facing federal bribery charges for allegedly accepting bribes in exchange for influencing contracts at D.C. government agencies. Last month, an ad-hoc council committee unanimously approved the recommendation to expel him following a damning report, which found "substantial evidence" against him.
The former councilmember’s supporters made a last-ditch effort to stop the proceedings yesterday by filing a request for a temporary injunction. But, the motion was quickly denied by a federal judge.
Could White Make a Political Comeback?
A special election must be held in the next 2 to 6 months to elect a new Ward 8 Councilmember. Local politics experts predict White could win again, particularly because tens of thousands reelected him in November even after he was federally charged with bribery.
“There's the argument being made that DC Council members overturned the will of Ward 8 voters who knowingly sent him back to office. So, he could very well run in that special election and win.” - Mark Segraves, NBC Reporter
White hasn’t made his plans explicit yet, however he has been attacking the legality of the council’s moves to expel him and his supporters remain hopeful that he will run again.
DC Council could technically pass a law that forbids White from running again, but when asked, Chairman Phil Mendelson said he refused to speculate on a hypothetical.
D.C. City Council meeting to discuss disciplinary actions for member Trayon White on Jan 28. (The Washington Post/Getty Images)
How We Got Here
White was given a chance to formally defend himself during a hearing last week, where his attorney, Frederick D. Cooke Jr. denied all allegations. (White was silent during the hearing, appearing to instead make a statement with his t-shirt, which said “The FBI Killed Fred Hampton.”)
Cooke argued that the council had no authority to investigate White and that the disciplinary process violated the body’s charter. He insisted the investigation should be led by the D.C.’s Board of Ethics and Government Accountability instead. Cooke also pointed out that White has not yet been convicted of the federal bribery charge.
What About the FBI Case?
Right now, White’s trial is expected to start in January 2026. But, as Segraves pointed out, the new U.S. Attorney for D.C. could throw a curve ball here. We don’t know how Trump’s appointee, Ed Martin, feels about White or the bribery case. He could decide to postpone the trial or cancel it entirely.
Unprecedented Step
DC Council has never expelled a member. It gave itself that power just over a decade ago, and nearly expelled Jack Evans in 2019, but Evans resigned first. He was accused of using his office to benefit private clients who paid him hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Trayon White won re-election in November by an incredible margin, despite his arrest by the FBI in August. He has pleaded not guilty to the official charges and continues to deny all wrongdoing, though he did issue a blanket, vague apology to the city during his swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 2.
Catch Up Quick
Check out these City Cast DC podcast episodes, where we’ve been covering this story:
