Trayon White expelled from D.C. Council after bribery charge

The big picture: White's expulsion deprives council representation for Ward 8 residents, many of whom live in Black working-class neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River.

After a unanimous vote, White walked out of the council chamber without answering media questions. A small group of supporters followed him into his office one last time.

• White will surrender his "council member" vehicle tags, office keys and work phone, journalist Tom Sherwood reported.
• His fans protested, setting up a digital display on a truck across the street that had a picture of White with the words "FBI SET ME UP."

State of play: White is pleading not guilty in his federal case.

• The FBI alleges he agreed to take $156,000 in cash bribes from a businessperson turned informant, in exchange for helping him win contracts in D.C. government.
• While a trial is not expected until summer, the D.C. Council hired an outside law firm to conduct its own investigation before voting to expel White. He declined three times to participate in the council's review.

• Latham & Watkins in its December report found "substantial evidence" for the allegations.

What's next: A special election will be held sometime in spring or early summer.

• White could run in that election — with good odds, too.
• He remains well-known and well-liked among many who praise him for his attention to crime and poverty.
• He has been mum on whether he would seek the office again.