A federal jury in Washington, D.C. deadlocked Tuesday in the bribery trial of D.C. Council member Trayon White Sr., leading a judge to declare a mistrial. After more than three days of deliberations, jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict, with a 9-3 vote favoring acquittal. U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras halted further deliberations after jurors indicated that continued discussion only solidified their opposing views.

White, representing Ward 8, was arrested in 2024 on charges of accepting $35,000 from an undercover FBI informant posing as a government contractor. Prosecutors alleged that White agreed to use his influence to help renew contracts worth millions of dollars for violence-interruption services previously awarded to businesses linked to the informant, Allieu Kamara. Video evidence reportedly showed cash exchanges between White and Kamara.

The defense refuted the allegations, with White maintaining his innocence and asserting that he was framed by Kamara, who had previously contributed to White’s political campaigns. Following the mistrial, White expressed gratitude on social media for the jury's partial acquittal vote, stating “God is the greatest” and thanking his legal team.

Gary Kohlman, one of White’s lead attorneys, emphasized the favorable jury split and expressed hope that prosecutors would opt against pursuing a retrial. However, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, leading the prosecution, said she remained committed to retrying the case, viewing it as part of a broader initiative to combat public corruption in the District.

The mistrial represents a setback for the U.S. Attorney’s office, which has prioritized corruption prosecutions in the city. Political analysts note that a retrial carries risks, including the possibility of another deadlock or acquittal, outcomes that could affect public confidence in anti-corruption efforts under the current administration.

Prosecutors typically assess jury dynamics and may consult jurors before deciding whether to proceed with another trial. As of Tuesday, the U.S. attorney’s office did not comment on next steps. The case continues to draw attention as part of ongoing federal efforts to address allegations of misconduct among elected officials in Washington, D.C.