Johnson Aide Haynes Arrested on DUI After Capitol Event

Man in glasses and suit looking serious, background person.

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s right-hand man, Chief of Staff Hayden Haynes, was arrested for driving under the influence after President Trump’s address to Congress, yet still maintains the full confidence of his longtime boss.

Key Insights

Hayden Haynes was arrested around 11:40 p.m. after backing his car into a parked Capitol vehicle following President Trump’s joint address to Congress.
Speaker Johnson continues to express “full faith and confidence” in Haynes despite the DUI incident, citing their nearly decade-long professional relationship.
The case will be prosecuted by D.C.’s Office of the Attorney General rather than the U.S. Attorney’s Office, highlighting the district’s unique legal jurisdiction.
Haynes has served as Johnson’s chief of staff since 2017, maintaining an “esteemed reputation among Members and staff” according to Johnson’s office.

Late Night Arrest Following Presidential Address

Capitol Police arrested Hayden Haynes, chief of staff to House Speaker Mike Johnson, on charges of driving under the influence following President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress. The incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. when Haynes allegedly backed his vehicle into a parked Capitol Police car. Law enforcement officials responded immediately to the scene, where they determined Haynes was impaired and placed him under arrest. Following standard procedure for such cases in Washington D.C., Haynes was released with a citation requiring his appearance in court at a later date.

The timing of the incident was particularly notable as it came directly after a high-profile congressional event where Speaker Johnson had presided over President Trump’s address, which lasted one hour and forty minutes. Trump’s speech focused primarily on his administration’s initiatives since beginning his second term. Capitol Police confirmed the arrest in a statement, saying, “A driver backed into a parked vehicle last night around 11:40 p.m. We responded and arrested them for DUI.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson's chief of staff, Hayden Haynes, was arrested and charged with drunk driving after hitting a parked car following President Donald Trump's joint address to Congress Tuesday night, according to U.S. Capitol Police. https://t.co/r2P2VMvvpK

— FOX26Houston (@FOX26Houston) March 6, 2025

Johnson Stands By Longtime Aide

Despite the incident, Speaker Johnson has expressed unwavering support for his chief of staff. Through spokesperson Taylor Haulsee, Johnson’s office released a statement acknowledging awareness of the “encounter” with Capitol Police while emphasizing the Speaker’s continued confidence in Haynes. The relationship between Johnson and Haynes spans nearly a decade, with Haynes serving as Johnson’s chief of staff since 2017, well before Johnson’s elevation to Speaker in October 2023.

“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.

D.C.’s Unique Legal Process

The case against Haynes highlights Washington D.C.’s distinctive legal structure compared to other jurisdictions. DUI offenses in the nation’s capital are prosecuted by the D.C. Office of the Attorney General rather than the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which handles most criminal matters in the district. This distinction becomes relevant in the current political climate, as the interim U.S. Attorney for D.C., Ed Martin, has notable connections to Republican causes and has previously been involved in controversial statements regarding the January 6 Capitol events.

The DUI charge comes at a time of significant activity in Washington, with the new Trump administration setting its agenda and Congress adapting to the political landscape following the 2024 election. Haynes, as chief of staff to the House Speaker, occupies a position of considerable influence in the legislative branch, making his legal situation a matter of interest beyond just personal conduct. Despite this development, Speaker Johnson’s office has made it clear that Haynes will continue in his role managing the Speaker’s office operations.