Washington D.C. Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. is facing an expulsion hearing on Tuesday after being accused of accepting $156,000 in bribes. The D.C. Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the matter, which includes evidence against White and an opportunity for him to defend himself.
According to a criminal complaint, White allegedly agreed to accept cash payments in exchange for using his position to pressure government employees to extend several D.C. contracts. The Justice Department alleges that the bribery occurred between June 2024 and was discovered through an investigation.
White has pleaded not guilty to the charges and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. He was arraigned and pleaded not guilty in federal court in August after being arrested by the FBI. A jury trial is set for January 2026.
Despite the ongoing legal issues, White won his re-election bid in November by a landslide. In an interview with WJLA, he expressed confidence in his victory and thanked his constituents, stating, “I feel like I’m going to win by a landslide but I’m still humbled and prayerful. I hope it sends a loud message to the DC Council about keeping the decisions in the hands of the people.”
The expulsion hearing on Tuesday will provide White with an opportunity to present his defense and attempt to persuade the council to reject the allegations. To expel White, 11 of the 13 council members would need to vote in favor of doing so. The vote is set for February 4.