Local DC councilman accused of corruption reveals blame lies with colleagues, asserting no need for federal intervention in the current situation.
In the nation's capital, the ongoing federal bribery trial of D.C. city councilman Trayon White continues, separate from the recent federal takeover of the city's law enforcement.
The federal takeover was declared on August 11, 2025, citing a crime emergency in Washington D.C., with intentions to restore safety and enforce the law. The takeover involves federal control of the D.C. police and deployment of the National Guard, but it is largely described as a security and policing measure, not a judicial or prosecutorial intervention.
Trayon White, who has a strong budget and AAA bond rating for D.C. for the last 20 years, according to his statements, was indicted on federal bribery charges months prior to the takeover announcement. The trial is ongoing under federal jurisdiction, which typically falls under the Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s office, separate from day-to-day police operations.
Despite the federal takeover, there is no clear evidence that this changes or influences the legal process for Trayon White’s trial. Any impact on his trial would likely come from prosecutorial decisions or judicial rulings independent of the police department's operational control.
In a statement, President Donald Trump aims to make D.C. safer and more beautiful as the capital battles crime and homelessness. However, U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro blames much of the city's problem on "young punks" who view themselves as untouchable by the law.
Trayon White has been vocal about the federal takeover, arguing that it would "cripple" the city. He also claimed the FBI is targeting him unjustly and stated last week that they are out to "kill" him.
The Justice Department alleges that White agreed to accept bribes in exchange for using his official position to pressure contract renewals, with the alleged bribery scheme focused on violence-prevention programs. Despite these charges, White won back his D.C. city council seat in July 2021, after being expelled by the D.C. council in February 2021.
Anders Hagstrom, a reporter covering national politics and major breaking news events for our website Digital, is closely following the developments in this case. As the trial progresses, we will continue to provide updates on this story.
The ongoing trial of D.C. city councilman Trayon White, despite being under federal jurisdiction, seems uninfluenced by the recent federal takeover of Washington D.C.'s law enforcement, which primarily focuses on crime and justice-related issues. meanwhile, the trial concerning White's federal bribery charges, involving alleged bribes for influencing contract renewals, is currently a key point in the general-news category, with Anders Hagstrom reporting on the latest developments for Digital News.
