CAN TRAYON BE REMOVED?

DC Councilmembers have two primary avenues for discipline when a councilmember is accussed of wrongdoing. The first option is for the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability (BEGA) to issue a censure. This formal reprimand serves as a public statement of discipline without removing the Councilmember from office.

The second option is for five Councilmembers to file a written request with the Secretary, calling for the establishment of an ad hoc committee. This committee would investigate the alleged violation of law or rule, providing a more in-depth review of the situation. Both paths offer ways to address misconduct, but each has its own implications for accountability and due process.

HOW DOES THIS WORK?

Censure is a formal statement of the Council officially disciplining one of its members. It is a punitive action, which serves as a penalty imposed for wrongdoing, but it carries no fine or suspension of the rights of the Member as an elected official. The Council may, by a 2/3rds vote of Councilmembers present and voting, adopt a resolution of censure if it finds, based on substantial evidence contained in the resolution or presented at the proceeding, that the Councilmember committed a violation of a law or rule of a serious nature.

Expulsion is the most severe punitive action, serving as a penalty imposed for egregious wrongdoing. Expulsion resorts in the removal of the Member. The Council may, by a 5/6 vote of Councilmembers, adopt a resolution of expulsion if it finds, based on substantial evidence contained in the resolution or presented at the proceeding, that the Councilmember committed a violation of law that amounts to gross failure to meet the highest standards of personal and professional conduct.

DON'T SILENCE WARD 8

Over 20,000 residents of Ward 8 voted to re- elect Councilmember Trayon White, demonstrating their trust in his leadership. Trayon deserves the same due process as anyone else and the right to serve out his full term. Join us in signing the petition to keep him in office. Tell your councilmember not to silence the voices of Ward 8 constituents who chose him to represent them. Ward 8 deserves to have their vote respected, and we must ensure their choice in leadership is upheld.

CALL TO DEMAND DUE PROCESS FOR TRAYON WHITE

Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I'm calling to demand that Councilmember Trayon White be allowed to remain in his role until he is given a fair process. This attempt to remove him based on accusations is unjust and erases the voices of the 20,000 constituents in Ward 8 who voted for him to represent them.

We are witnessing yet another example of a system that undermines our elected representatives, our voices, and our communities. Councilmember White has stood by Ward 8; now we stand with him. These are allegations, not a conviction, and he deserves the same presumption of innocence and due process that should be a right for us all. Rushing to remove him only perpetuates a cycle of punitive injustice.