Hayden Haynes, chief of staff to House Speaker Mike Johnson, was apprehended on charges of driving under the influence after a collision with a Capitol vehicle last night, according to information from two law enforcement sources. This incident occurred shortly after President Donald J. Trump’s joint address to Congress.
A U.S. Capitol Police statement detailed that around 11:40 PM on the night in question, a driver reversed into a parked vehicle, leading to the arrest on DUI charges. The police report suggests that Haynes was detained following an incident near midnight, after which he was released with an instruction to appear in court.
Haynes has been a pivotal figure in Johnson’s team, having held the position of chief of staff in the speaker’s office since Johnson ascended to the role in October 2023. Previously, Haynes worked with Johnson in his personal office from 2017 and held various roles under former Sen. David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican, from 2009 to 2016.
In response to the situation, Speaker Johnson’s spokesman, Taylor Haulsee, issued a statement acknowledging the incident. Johnson maintains confidence in Haynes, highlighting their long professional history and Haynes’ reputation among colleagues as reasons for continued trust.
The prosecution of DUI offenses falls under the jurisdiction of the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, led by Brian L. Schwalb. At this time, Schwalb’s office has not made any public comments on the matter.
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