Trayon White could be expelled again from DC Council if reelected
Trayon White, a former Democratic Councilman for the District of Columbia, faces the possibility of being ousted again from the D.C.Council if he wins a special election for his old seat following his recent expulsion over ethics violations related to a bribery indictment. He was expelled unanimously in February after being accused of accepting over $150,000 in bribes linked to grants for violence intervention. Even though Council chairman Phil Mendelson withdrew a proposal aimed at changing expulsion rules that could affect White, he confirmed that the council could still proceed with a second expulsion without new evidence. White has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which carry a important prison sentence if convicted. Meanwhile, other candidates have entered the race for the vacant Ward 8 seat, and the special election is set for July 15. White described the council’s actions as a “blatant smear campaign” and continues to seek reelection.
Recently expelled DC councilman Trayon White faces another ouster if reelected
Former Democratic District of Columbia Councilman Trayon White, who was expelled from the D.C. Council earlier this year, could be ousted from the legislative body for a second time if he wins a July special election to fill the seat he left vacant following his expulsion.
White is running for a special election in the District’s Ward 8 after facing a unanimous expulsion in February over ethics violations stemming from his one-count bribery indictment.
The D.C. Council remains open to expelling White again, even though Chairman Phil Mendelson withdrew a proposed change to the body’s rules on Tuesday that would have allowed a previously expelled councilmember to be removed in the future without new evidence. Mendelson decided that the rules already allowed the council to proceed with a second expulsion without a new investigation.
“In my reading of the rules, I think that what we are trying to do can be done anyway, and so that’s why that’s not part of this,” Mendelson told the council Tuesday afternoon.
While Mendelson claimed the council’s now-dropped review of its expulsion rules wasn’t aimed at White, the measure applied to White’s situation.
The former D.C. lawmaker is accused of pocketing over $150,000 in bribes for awarding the district’s violence intervention grants last year. The FBI arrested White in August 2024 for the alleged scheme. He has pleaded not guilty to the federal bribery charge, which carries a 15-year maximum prison sentence.
White’s trial is scheduled to start on Jan. 12, 2026. If convicted, he could be disqualified from office.
Following his expulsion in February, three candidates entered a special election for the seat previously held by White. Sheila Bunn, Mike Austin, and Salim Adofo are asking the Ward 8 community to move on from White by voting for an alternative, while White is running himself despite his expulsion.
White called the D.C. Council’s rule proposal a “blatant smear campaign” against him.
“What the DC Council is trying to do to silence/persuade the voice of voters by putting forth legislation days before an election is a clear case of #ElectionInterference,” he posted on Instagram this week. “Is this not America? So one is not entitled to #DueProcess?”
DC COUNCILMAN TRAYON WHITE PREVIEWS REELECTION CAMPAIGN AFTER FEDERAL CHARGES
White announced his reelection bid in late March, asking people to sign a petition to get him on the ballot.
The special election for the vacant Ward 8 council seat will be held on July 15.
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