House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Chief of Staff Hayden Haynes was arrested for drunk driving shortly after President Trump’s congressional address, but Johnson maintains “full faith and confidence” in his longtime aide despite the incident.
Key Takeaways
- Hayden Haynes, chief of staff to House Speaker Mike Johnson, was arrested for DUI after backing his car into a parked Capitol vehicle around 11:40 p.m.
- The incident occurred shortly after President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress.
- Haynes was released with a citation to appear in court.
- Speaker Johnson continues to have “full faith and confidence” in Haynes, who has been his chief of staff since 2017.
- DUI offenses in Washington, D.C. are handled by the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, not the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The Incident Following Presidential Address
U.S. Capitol Police confirmed that Hayden Haynes, chief of staff to House Speaker Mike Johnson, was arrested for driving under the influence after President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress. The incident occurred at approximately 11:40 p.m. when Haynes backed his vehicle into a parked Capitol Police car. Capitol Police responded to the scene and subsequently arrested Haynes on suspicion of DUI. Following standard protocol for such offenses in Washington D.C., Haynes was released with a citation requiring him to appear in court at a later date.
The arrest came after an eventful evening in the Capitol, where Speaker Johnson had presided over President Trump’s address to Congress. Trump’s speech lasted one hour and 40 minutes and focused on his administration’s initiatives since beginning his second term. The timing of the incident has drawn attention, occurring as it did directly following a major presidential event where Johnson played a prominent role as Speaker of the House.
House Speaker Mike Johnson's chief of staff, Hayden Haynes, was arrested and charged with drunk driving after hitting a parked car following President Donald Trump's joint address to Congress Tuesday night, according to U.S. Capitol Police. https://t.co/r2P2VMvvpK
— FOX26Houston (@FOX26Houston) March 6, 2025
Speaker Johnson’s Response
Despite the arrest, Speaker Johnson has expressed continued confidence in his chief of staff. Through spokesperson Taylor Haulsee, Johnson acknowledged awareness of the incident but emphasized his longstanding professional relationship with Haynes. Johnson has worked closely with Haynes for nearly a decade, with Haynes serving as his chief of staff since 2017, well before Johnson was elected Speaker of the House in October 2023.
“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,” said Johnson spokesperson Taylor Haulsee.
Johnson’s swift and supportive response indicates his intention to stand by his longtime aide through this legal trouble. The Speaker’s office has not announced any administrative action or temporary reassignment related to Haynes’ arrest, suggesting that daily operations will continue unchanged while the legal process unfolds.
Legal Jurisdiction and Prosecution
The case brings attention to Washington D.C.’s unique legal framework. Unlike many federal crimes in the District, DUI offenses are prosecuted by the D.C. Office of the Attorney General rather than the U.S. Attorney’s Office. This distinction has gained particular notice given recent controversies surrounding the current interim U.S. Attorney for D.C., Ed Martin, who has connections to Republican circles and has been criticized for his positions regarding the January 6th Capitol events.
“A driver backed into a parked vehicle last night around 11:40 p.m. We responded and arrested them for DUI,” said U.S. Capitol Police.
The Capitol Police statement confirmed the basic facts of the case without identifying Haynes by name, though multiple sources have confirmed his involvement. The case will now proceed through the District’s court system under the jurisdiction of the D.C. Attorney General’s office, following standard procedures for drunk driving offenses in the capital.
Sources:
- House Speaker’s Chief of Staff Arrested for Allegedly Driving into Capitol Vehicle While Drunk After Trump’s Speech
- Speaker Mike Johnson’s chief of staff charged with DUI after Trump speech | FOX 5 DC
- House Speaker Mike Johnson’s chief of staff arrested for DUI after Trump speech, police say
- House Speaker Mike Johnson’s chief of staff arrested on DUI charge after Trump speech
