WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Hayden Haynes, House Speaker Mike Johnson’s chief of staff, was arrested late Tuesday on suspicion of driving under the influence after President Donald Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress.
As per the U.S. Capitol Police, the incident was reported around 11:40 p.m. when Haynes is believed to have backed his car into a parked police vehicle near the Capitol. A field sobriety test on scene resulted in his arrest. Haynes, who is 37 years old, was released later with a court citation to appear.
Speaker Johnson, who has closely collaborated with Haynes since 2016, reaffirmed his trust and confidence in his chief aide. In a statement, Johnson cited Haynes’ long service and honored reputation on Capitol Hill.
The arrest followed shortly after President Trump’s address, which started at 9:19 p.m. and ended at 10:59 p.m., becoming the longest joint session of Congress address in at least 61 years. The president addressed several issues, including energy prices, law enforcement support, and foreign trade policies.
The case against Haynes will be prosecuted by the D.C. Office of the Attorney General. Haynes, if found guilty, will face punishment up to and including 180 days in jail, a fine up to $1,000, and a suspension of his driving privileges for six months.
Haynes has been Johnson’s chief of staff since Johnson’s election to Congress in 2016 and has maintained the position since Johnson took over as Speaker in October 2023. Before joining Johnson, Haynes worked in several different legislative roles on Capitol Hill, gaining a reputation for his policy knowledge and commitment to public service.
Through Wednesday evening, Haynes did not respond to requests for comment. The case has garnered scrutiny because of the high-profile nature of Haynes’ job within the Speaker’s office, though no statements about any effect it might have had on his role have been released.
