Court documents are providing new insights into D.C. Councilmember Trayon White’s potential defense as he faces federal bribery charges set for trial in January 2026.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has filed a motion that seeks to prevent White from pursuing an entrapment defense, asserting that his own statements and actions indicate he intends to do just that.
Notably, during a January expulsion hearing at the Wilson Building, White displayed provocative sentiments by showing a truck outside emblazoned with his image and the phrase ‘FBI Set Me Up.’
At the hearing, he wore a T-shirt that read ‘The FBI Killed Fred Hampton,’ referencing the controversial death of the former Black Panther leader in a 1969 FBI raid.
Although the D.C. Council voted to expel White, he was re-elected shortly thereafter in a special election to reclaim his seat.
Prosecutors have highlighted that White’s most revealing remark occurred during his swearing-in ceremony in August. According to court documents, he stated, ‘You know the FBI is after me … not just arrest me, but I believe they want to kill me.’
Neama Rahmani, a former Department of Justice prosecutor, commented that entrapment defenses are common in bribery cases.
‘It’s often tough for defendants to argue anything else if they are caught on audio or video taking a bribe,’ Rahmani noted.
However, he explained that in order to successfully claim entrapment, defendants must demonstrate that they had no criminal predisposition to commit the alleged crimes.
The legal framework requires proof that law enforcement enticed someone who would otherwise not engage in illegal activity.
‘If they had any criminal tendencies, that can invalidate an entrapment defense,’ Rahmani added.
Entrapment cases often involve situations where law enforcement goes beyond simply providing opportunities for crime and actively persuades or pressures individuals into engaging in illegal activities.
In White’s case, prosecutors argue that evidence indicates he was a willing participant in the bribery scheme, having even solicited specific amounts of payment.
In their motion, federal prosecutors contend that White cannot credibly argue entrapment, noting that he had a prior corrupt relationship with the confidential source involved.
Allegedly, he accepted a $20,000 bribe to influence government contracts even before the onset of the FBI investigation.
As part of the FBI probe, prosecutors utilized the same confidential informant in a coordinated sting operation.
They assert that White accepted multiple cash payments totaling $35,000 without hesitation, in exchange for his promise to influence government contracts favorably for the informant’s firms.
The indictment points to White’s acceptance of the bribes aimed at helping the informant’s companies secure contract renewals with the D.C. government’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is urging the court to disallow any entrapment arguments that White may wish to present at trial.
Rahmani remarked that the judge’s role will be to determine whether there is any legal or factual basis for the entrapment claim.
If no basis exists, he expects the judge will prohibit such arguments.
White’s legal team has yet to respond to the government’s motion as the trial date approaches in early 2026.
image source from：wusa9
