FBI Arrests Democratic DC City Council Member
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Washington, D.C. city council member Trayon White, a Democrat who represents Ward 8, was unexpectedly arrested by the FBI on Sunday.
The Details: A court affidavit alleges that White accepted $156,000 in bribes to use his influence to extend contracts for four unnamed companies, part of which was caught on hidden camera. The arrest appeared to come as a surprise to other officials, including Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, who said they were unaware White was under investigation.
For Context: White has been in office since 2016 and is expected to secure a comfortable victory in his reelection campaign this fall.
Previous Controversies: Earlier this year, White was fined $40,000 by the Office of Campaign Finance, which determined his campaign had failed to provide requested documentation and correct discrepancies regarding tens of thousands of dollars used for financing his campaigns. In 2018, he made controversial comments about European Jews controlling the weather and the federal government, which he later apologized for.
How The Media Covered It: The story has been mostly covered by D.C. outlets as of early Monday morning. The Washington Post (Lean Left bias) published an extensive report with ample context, including White’s electoral history and past controversies. It said White is “known by some for his boots-on-the-ground activism, and he often shows up at crime scenes when his community is hurting,” but “is no stranger to controversy.” Fox News (Right bias) and The Washington Times (Lean Right bias) included that White has previously supported Louis Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam.
This article has been updated to include information about the court's affidavit.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
FBI arrests D.C. Council member Trayon WhiteThe FBI arrested D.C. Council member Trayon White Sr. on Sunday, according to the council’s chairman and two other people familiar with the matter, in a sudden move against the unorthodox two-term Southeast Washington leader that appeared to take other city officials by surprise.
The circumstances of the arrest and the nature of the allegations against White, a Democrat who represents Ward 8 in Southeast Washington and appeared on track to win a third term in November, were not immediately clear. The FBI’s Washington Field Office declined to comment, and...
From the Center
DC Council member Trayon White arrested by FBID.C. Council member Trayon White Sr., who represents Ward 8, was arrested by the FBI on Sunday afternoon.
Details of the arrest and the nature of the charges were not immediately clear.
D.C. Council chair Phil Mendelson’s office confirmed to WTOP that White was arrested Sunday afternoon. A statement from Mendelson’s office was also shared with our news partners at 7News later in the evening.
“Both public trust and integrity in elected officials is critically important,” the councilman said. “We’re trying to gather the facts at this time.”
Multiple reports alleged White Sr....
From the Right
FBI arrests DC councilman who in 2018 accused Jewish financiers of 'climate manipulation'The FBI arrested a Washington, D.C., city councilman on Sunday, though the circumstances surrounding the matter are not yet clear.
City Council President Phil Mendelson confirmed that fellow council member Trayon White Sr. was arrested on Sunday afternoon.
"I've talked to several people. I can confirm he was arrested around 2 o'clock by the FBI," Mendelson told a WTTG reporter. "I'm anxious to get more details to understand what is the situation. … You all know as much as I know."
Fox News has reached out to the FBI Washington field office, which...
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