D.C. Council member Trayon White gave an open-ended apology to city residents while being sworn in last week, as he faces a likely expulsion from the legislative body due to his ongoing bribery case in federal court.

The Ward 8 Democrat said Thursday that his reelection to a third term was a “bittersweet moment” and gave the blanket apology without specifying what he was expressing remorse for.

“This morning, I want to say that I apologize to my city, and I love my city to the core of who I am,” Mr. White said at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. “I am not a perfect man, but if you get to know me, you know that I am a good man.”

The council member didn’t answer media questions afterward to explain why he was apologizing.

Mr. White, 40, has maintained his innocence after being charged with agreeing to take $156,000 in bribes in exchange for influencing government contracts.

Federal agents arrested him last summer in Southeast, and court documents provided photos of the lawmaker allegedly pocketing $35,000 in cash from an FBI informant.

Mr. White has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He will go to trial in January 2026.

But the D.C. Council is looking to expel him as soon as next month.

An ad hoc committee set up to investigate Mr. White’s conduct voted unanimously last month to remove the Ward 8 Democrat from his seat.

The preliminary vote came after an independent investigation found “substantial evidence” that Mr. White had participated in the alleged bribery scheme.

Mr. White will have a chance to respond to the investigation and his colleagues’ decision Jan. 28. The expulsion vote is expected Feb. 4.

If removed from office, Mr. White can still run in the special election to fill the seat.

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.