Scandalous Politician Wins Back D.C. Council Seat
One of America’s more notorious local politicians has claimed a comeback in Washington, D.C., after facing serious legal troubles, including federal bribery charges. Former councillor Treyon White, who was expelled earlier this year, secured a re-election on Tuesday.
White was arrested by the FBI in August of 2024 on charges of federal bribery, leading to an internal investigation. Following this, the other members of the DC Council unanimously voted to remove him from his position back in February.
Despite this, he was eligible to run again in the special election since he hadn’t been convicted of a felony. On Tuesday, he triumphed over three opponents — Mike Austin, Sheilavan, and Salim Adfo — to reclaim the District 8 Council seat, which had been empty since his expulsion.
In a brash victory speech, White proclaimed, “We sent the DC City Council a message that Treyon White was here.” Interestingly, the turnout for this special election was around 12% of local voters.
Now back to represent District 8, White is bracing for an upcoming trial set to commence in January 2026, which will address the bribery allegations against him. Preliminary evidence reportedly includes video footage showing him accepting cash from a city contractor in exchange for favoring a city contract.
Colleagues on the DC Council are currently deliberating whether to expel him once more or continue working alongside him while they await the outcome of his federal corruption trial.
Council Chairman Phil Mendelson spoke out earlier, saying, “Bribery in elected officials is typical of corruption. Trust is essential for an elected government, and we must act.”
White has pleaded not guilty to the bribery accusations. He stands accused of accepting cash payments to pressure government employees to extend several city contracts, including one worth $5.2 million linked to companies providing violent intervention services in D.C.
According to an FBI arrest affidavit, footage allegedly shows White meeting with an unidentified source, who handed him an envelope containing $15,000, which he placed in his jacket pocket.
U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves stated, “The investigation into the suspected bribery scheme included contracts that could be awarded immediately, and our office took prompt actions regarding the alleged crimes.”
Interestingly, back in 2018, White stirred controversy for making anti-Semitic remarks, suggesting that Jewish bankers had control over the weather. He had also been questioned about his ties to the Nation of Islam after donating $500 to support community services.
