Cities
Yesterday, a Burien councilmember, under pressure from public and media spotlight exposing his unintended “hot mic” moment at the December 10, 2025, Burien Planning Commission meeting, gave a formal public comment online.
Here is the full apology from new Burien Councilmember Rocco DeVito, one of the four new members of the progressive slate newly voted into council positions.
In his statement, DeVito acknowledges that his comments were "inappropriate ..." and he says, "I admit that I need to learn to adjust from advocating for our community to representing it, a lesson I am learning quickly."
For the full context of Councilmember DeVito’s statement, please see this story by The Highline Journal: "F* Those Rich People" Hot Mic Captures Shocking Moment at Burien Planning Meeting.
Immediately following the incident, the Highline Journal reached out to the City of Burien administration and Councilmember DeVito for comment. Both responded on December 16, with the city deferring their answer by shifting our query to a 2-month Public Records Request, and DeVito issuing his official apology on his Facebook page.
Here is the one-minute recorded "hot mic" incident.
https://go.screenpal.com/watch/cTlXQVnYqoP
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