WASHINGTON, D.C. – Just hours after President Donald Trump concluded his address to Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) chief of staff, Hayden Haynes, was arrested on drunk driving charges, NBC News reported Wednesday.
Haynes, who has worked for Johnson since 2017 and became his chief of staff in 2023, reportedly struck a Capitol vehicle around midnight before being arrested and later released with a citation to appear in court. In a statement, Capitol Police confirmed the incident, saying, “A driver backed into a parked vehicle last night around 11:40 p.m. We responded and arrested them for DUI.”
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Johnson’s office swiftly released a statement defending Haynes, emphasizing his long-standing service and reputation. “The Speaker is aware of the encounter that occurred last night involving his Chief of Staff and the Capitol Police,” a spokesperson said.
“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.”
Most criminal cases in Washington, D.C., are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. However, this has become a point of contention given Trump’s recent nomination for the role—Ed Martin, a longtime Stop the Steal conspiracy theorist and Missouri GOP activist. Martin has already signaled reluctance to prosecute Republican officials, refusing to bring charges against Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) when D.C. police presented evidence of an alleged domestic violence incident at his penthouse in the district.
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Notably, NBC News highlighted that DUI cases fall under a different jurisdiction. Unlike other crimes, these cases are prosecuted by the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, a separate entity. With Haynes now facing legal proceedings, questions remain about how the case will be handled and whether political considerations will play a role in the outcome.
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