House Speaker’s Chief of Staff Arrested After Driving Drunk

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Chief of Staff Hayden Haynes was arrested for DUI following President Trump’s address to Congress, yet Johnson continues to express “full faith and confidence” in his longtime aide despite the incident.

Quick Takes

Hayden Haynes was arrested for suspected DUI after backing into a parked Capitol vehicle around 11:40 p.m. following President Trump’s joint address to Congress
Speaker Mike Johnson continues to support Haynes, citing their nearly decade-long professional relationship and Haynes’ “esteemed reputation”
The DUI case will be prosecuted by the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, not the U.S. Attorney’s Office led by Trump-aligned Ed Martin
Haynes was released with a citation to appear in court at a later date
Haynes has served as Johnson’s chief of staff since 2017, continuing in that role after Johnson became Speaker in October 2023

Arrest Details Emerge After Presidential Address

The U.S. Capitol Police arrested Hayden Haynes, chief of staff to House Speaker Mike Johnson, on suspicion of driving under the influence following President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress. The incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. when Haynes allegedly backed his vehicle into a parked Capitol car. Capitol Police immediately responded to the scene, where they determined there was sufficient evidence to arrest Haynes for DUI. Following standard procedure 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 at the conclusion of a significant political evening, as President Trump had just delivered his address to a joint session of Congress that lasted one hour and forty minutes. Speaker Johnson had presided over this formal congressional gathering, which focused on the President’s initiatives since beginning his second term. The timing of the incident, immediately following such a high-profile event, has drawn additional attention to what might otherwise have been a routine DUI arrest.

BREAKING: House Speaker Mike Johnson's chief of staff, Hayden Haynes, was arrested on a DUI charge Tuesday night after President Trump's address to Congress, law enforcement sources say. https://t.co/XQe6KCsmJw

— Breaking News (@BreakingNews) March 5, 2025

Speaker Johnson Stands By His Chief of Staff

Despite the arrest, Speaker Johnson has expressed unwavering support for Haynes, who has been his chief of staff since 2017. Through spokesman Taylor Haulsee, Johnson acknowledged awareness of the “encounter” with Capitol Police while emphasizing his longstanding professional relationship with Haynes. The Speaker’s office released a statement noting that Johnson has “full faith and confidence in Hayden’s ability to lead the Speaker’s office,” suggesting the incident will not impact Haynes’ position as one of the most influential staff members in Congress.

“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 Speaker’s continued support stems from their nearly decade-long professional relationship, with Haynes serving as Johnson’s top aide throughout his congressional career. Johnson, who was elected Speaker in October 2023 following political turmoil within the House Republican Conference, has relied heavily on Haynes’ experience and institutional knowledge during his tenure as the third-ranking official in the presidential line of succession. Their working relationship predates Johnson’s rise to the speakership, establishing a foundation of trust that appears unshaken by the current circumstances.

Case Prosecution Highlights D.C.’s Unique Legal Structure

The DUI case against Haynes will be handled by the D.C. Office of the Attorney General rather than the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. This jurisdictional distinction highlights Washington’s complex legal structure, where certain offenses are prosecuted by local authorities while others fall under federal jurisdiction. The arrangement has drawn additional scrutiny given that the current interim U.S. Attorney for D.C., Ed Martin, has connections to Republican circles and has previously been involved in controversies related to the January 6 Capitol riot.

“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.

The case moves forward as Washington continues to adjust to the political landscape under President Trump’s second administration. While the arrest of a high-ranking congressional staffer would typically generate significant political fallout, Speaker Johnson’s immediate and unwavering support for Haynes suggests this incident may be treated as a personal matter rather than a political one. As the legal process unfolds, attention will remain on both the prosecution’s approach and whether there are any professional consequences for Haynes despite the Speaker’s current vote of confidence.