Hayden Haynes, the Chief of Staff to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and one of the most influential aides on Capitol Hill, was arrested on suspicion of DUI late Tuesday night after his vehicle struck a Capitol Police car, according to law enforcement sources.
The incident occurred shortly after President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress, where Johnson presided over the House floor, sitting just behind the president’s left shoulder.
A source told NBC News states that Haynes’ vehicle backed into a parked Capitol Police car at approximately 11:40 p.m. U.S. Capitol Police responded to the scene and subsequently arrested Haynes on DUI charges before releasing him with a citation to appear in court.
Speaker Johnson Stands by His Aide
When asked by NBC News on Wednesday whether he would continue to support his Chief of Staff, Johnson responded: "I am. I am."
Johnson’s spokesperson, Taylor Haulsee, later issued a statement emphasizing the Speaker’s continued trust in Haynes:
Statement from Speaker Johnson’s Office:
"The Speaker is aware of the encounter that occurred last night involving his Chief of Staff and the Capitol Police. The Speaker has known and worked closely with Hayden for nearly a decade and trusted him to serve as his Chief of Staff for his entire tenure in Congress. Because of this and Hayden’s esteemed reputation among Members and staff alike, the Speaker has full faith and confidence in Hayden’s ability to lead the Speaker’s office."
Haynes has served as Johnson’s top aide since he assumed the Speakership in October 2023. Prior to that, he worked as Chief of Staff in Johnson’s personal congressional office from 2017 to 2023 and held various roles for former Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) from 2009 to 2016.
Legal Implications & Political Ramifications
While most crimes in Washington, D.C., are typically prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, DUI offenses fall under the jurisdiction of the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, currently led by Brian L. Schwalb.
This distinction could prove significant, as the interim U.S. attorney for D.C., Ed Martin, is a conservative activist with strong ties to Republican lawmakers. Martin has previously stirred controversy after being granted access to Capitol Police footage from the January 6, 2021, riot, which he used to promote conspiracy theories about the attack.
Legal Expert Commentary:
While Martin’s office has been selective in pursuing cases involving GOP lawmakers, including a recent arrest warrant for Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) that was never signed off, Schwalb’s office will independently handle the DUI charge against Haynes.
The D.C. Attorney General’s Office has yet to comment on whether it plans to pursue the case aggressively or if Haynes may receive leniency given his political standing.