WASHINGTON (KSLA/Gray News) – Authorities say Hayden Haynes, chief of staff to House Speaker Mike Johnson, was arrested for DUI hours after President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress.
U.S. Capitol Police said Haynes backed into a parked vehicle about 11:40 p.m. Tuesday.
Officers responded to the scene and the driver, later identified as Haynes, was arrested on a DUI charge.
Johnson’s office said it has been informed of what happened.
“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,” a spokesperson from Johnson’s office said.
The statement continued, “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.”
Haynes, a Louisiana Republican, has served as the speaker’s chief of staff since Johnson took on the role in 2023.
The Associated Press reported that Haynes didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment about the situation.
President Trump delivered a one-hour and 40-minute address to Congress earlier Tuesday night that highlighted many of his initiatives since taking office for his second term.
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