Trotter first served in the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Prince George's County from 1975 to 1979.

He was a member of the Ways and Means Committee and sponsored Maryland's first minority business enterprise act.

[1] Trotter was a member of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors since 1999 who served as chairman in 2001.

At the time of his death, he was the chairman of WMATA's Board Planning, Development, and Administration Committee.

White called Trotter "a passionate supporter and believer of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority," as well as "a strong advocate for equality and fairness.an unwearying champion of Metro and a man who lived life to the fullest."