Hayden Haynes, the chief of staff to House Speaker Mike Johnson, was arrested early Wednesday morning for a suspected DUI after his vehicle struck a Capitol vehicle. The incident unfolded around midnight, shortly after President Donald Trump's address to Congress on Tuesday night. Haynes was apprehended and subsequently released with a citation to appear in court.
The U.S. Capitol Police reported that, "A driver backed into a parked vehicle last night around 11:40 p.m." This aligns with the police report indicating that Haynes collided with a Capitol vehicle around midnight. Having served as chief of staff in Speaker Johnson's office since his ascension in October 2023, Haynes is a trusted and longstanding aide to Johnson.
Before his current role, Haynes served as Johnson's chief of staff in his personal office from 2017 to 2023. His political career further includes various roles under former Senator David Vitter from 2009 to 2016. The Speaker has known and worked closely with Hayden for nearly a decade, entrusting him with significant responsibilities.
Taylor Haulsee, a spokesperson for Speaker Johnson, stated, "The Speaker is aware of the encounter that occurred last night involving his Chief of Staff and the Capitol Police." This incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny and challenges faced by those in high-profile political roles.
The distinction between the U.S. Attorney's Office and the D.C. Office of the Attorney General could play a pivotal role in Haynes' case. DUI offenses typically fall under the jurisdiction of the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, led by Brian L. Schwalb. This distinction has proven meaningful in past cases, such as when the Metropolitan Police Department issued an arrest warrant for Rep. Cory Mills last month, which the U.S. Attorney's Office did not endorse.