The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested Washington, D.C. Councilmember Trayon White Sr. (D-Ward 8) on one count of bribery Aug. 18. He pleaded not guilty Sept. 12 and the District council voted to disband his committee Sept. 17.
Despite his release on bail, White has pleaded not guilty to the charge and remains under indictment. His political future remains uncertain, though he still intends to run for reelection in November.
The criminal complaint accused him of accepting a $156,000 cash bribe in exchange for pressuring D.C. officials to extend contracts with companies that offer gun violence intervention services.
White has maintained public silence regarding his arrest, yet he thanked his supporters and made an appearance at a Ward 8 church.
White was arrested in a Navy Yard apartment in Ward 6; however, by law, council members must live in the ward they represent.
Council Chairman Phil Mendelson established an ad hoc committee, led by Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (I-At Large), to investigate White’s residency and bribery charge as well as to determine appropriate actions.
A full report by the committee is expected by Dec. 16, after which White would have 30 days to prepare a defense. Then, the council would vote on a punishment — ranging from censorship to expulsion — of which the latter would require the votes of 11 of the 13 council members.
Several council members declined to comment, instead directing The Hoya to their office’s public statement.
Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) expressed his disappointment in White and addressed the ad hoc committee’s plan for next steps.
“While he is innocent until proven guilty in a criminal court, I agree with Chair Mendelson that the Council must immediately move forward with our own investigation and review process through the creation of an ad hoc committee to propose next steps, including potential expulsion,” Allen said in the statement. “In the interim, Councilmember Trayon White cannot continue to chair his committee.”
The arrest comes amid White’s campaign for re-election in November. His platform centers on mitigating social issues — such as crime rates, gun violence and addiction — in a Ward in which 27.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
Councilmembers from other wards have temporarily stepped in to provide constituent services to Ward 8 residents during White’s absence.
Supply chain analyst and Republican opponent Nate Derenge wrote that he is deeply angered by White’s arrest in a campaign press release.
“We need to root out corruption in local government, from kickbacks to nepotism,” Derenge wrote in a press release. “My campaign, unlike Trayon’s soul, is not for sale.”
Although White will likely remain on the ballot, other Ward 8 activists and residents are running as write-in campaign alternatives.
Former advisory neighborhood commissioner (ANC) 8D Olivia Henderson and mental health and addiction counselor Khadijah A. Long have officially declared their candidacy with the D.C. Board of Elections.
Markus Batchelor, national political director at People For the American Way, also announced his intention to run as a write-in candidate, though he has not officially registered with the DCBOE.
Batchelor said he sees write-in campaigns as a tangible solution to the Ward 8 leadership issues.
“It’s less about the council member’s particular situation, but about what’s best for the residents of Ward 8 when all of us are really more concerned about continuing the real progress we’ve made,” Batchelor told WTOP.
Joe Massaua (SFS ’25), who serves as an ANC 2E commissioner, said he is disappointed by the possibility of White remaining on the Ward 8 ballot.
“Personally, I think the allegations against CM White are a stain on his character and the D.C. government as a whole,” Massaua wrote to The Hoya.
Sam Chang (SFS ’26), a current Georgetown undergraduate student, also expressed his disapproval of political corruption within an already underserved community.
“Generally, I’m not surprised a politician of any level is engaged in bribes, unfortunately,” Chang told The Hoya. “But considering this person has represented Ward 8, this is a major blow and very disappointing.”
Due to White’s reputation as a community-focused activist and the progress he has made investing in youth engagement programs such as Helping Inner City Kids Succeed, Inc., Leonard Smith — a Ward 8 resident and founder of The Sober Living Project — said he feels conflicted over White’s arrest.
“He means empowerment. You got a black young man with dreads that’s in the councilman’s seat. He’s been there for a while and got reelected. That just goes to show you how much he means to Ward 8,” Smith told WAMU. “I only knew Trayon, because he shows up on the scene when bodies drop. When homes are going up in flames, he’s there.”
“So does that take away from what he’s done? No, he made a mistake. How many mistakes have you made? Look in the mirror, people,” Smith added.
On the upcoming election, Massaua expressed his criticism of the likelihood that White will remain on the ballot in November.
“I hope that if he chooses to face the voters, he loses,” Massaua said.