House Speaker Mike Johnson's chief of staff arrested on DUI charge after Trump speech
Hayden Haynes, the top assistant to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., faced arrest for suspected drunk driving after his vehicle hit a Capitol car following President Donald Trump's speech to Congress, according to two law enforcement officials who informed NBC News. Johnson's office verified the incident.
One source revealed that police documents showed Haynes struck a Capitol vehicle around midnight, resulting in his arrest and subsequent release with a court summons. The arrest occurred after Trump's Tuesday night address, during which Johnson occupied the chair directly behind the president's left shoulder.
"A driver reversed into a stationary vehicle yesterday around 11:40 p.m.," U.S. Capitol Police stated. "We responded and arrested them for DUI."
Haynes serves as a close and devoted aide to Johnson. He has managed the speaker's office since Johnson secured the leadership position in October 2023. Previously, Haynes directed Johnson's personal office from 2017 to 2023. His background includes various positions under former Sen. David Vitter, another Republican from Louisiana, between 2009 and 2016.
When we asked Wednesday if Johnson continued to support Haynes, he replied, "I am. I am."
Johnson's representative Taylor Haulsee declared: "The Speaker knows about the incident last night involving his Chief of Staff and the Capitol Police. The Speaker has collaborated closely with Hayden for nearly ten years and chosen him to lead his staff throughout his congressional career. Because of this history and Hayden's respected standing among Members and staff, the Speaker maintains complete confidence in Hayden's ability to direct the Speaker's office."
While the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia handles most Washington crimes, DUI cases fall under the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, led by D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb.
This distinction could prove significant because the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Ed Martin, is a conservative activist with Republican connections in Congress. Martin, whom Trump wants to appoint permanently as the city's chief federal prosecutor, received Capitol Police footage from the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, which he used to promote conspiracy theories about the attack.
Schwalb's office did not immediately answer requests for comment.
In a recent case, Washington police issued an arrest warrant for Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., but Martin's office withheld approval. Mills had been investigated regarding alleged assault at an apartment complex, and he stated that police had assisted in "resolving a private matter."
