Chief of Staff to House Speaker Mike Johnson Arrested for DUI Following Trump Speech

The chief of staff for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was taken into custody on Tuesday night, suspected of driving under the influence after colliding with a parked police vehicle following President Donald Trump’s speech to Congress at the U.S. Capitol.

Hayden Haynes was charged with driving under the influence and subsequently released.

According to a statement from U.S. Capitol Police sent to The Epoch Times, Haynes had “backed into a parked vehicle” at approximately 11:40 p.m.

Officers were dispatched to the scene, which resulted in the driver’s arrest, the statement indicated.

The police did not disclose the precise location of the incident.

Johnson, who presided over the House during Trump’s address, told reporters he has known Haynes for more than ten years, describing him as “trusted and respected, and he has my complete faith and confidence to lead.”

Haynes, a long-time trusted aide to Johnson, has been serving as the speaker’s chief of staff since Johnson assumed the role in October 2023, per his LinkedIn profile.

Prior to this position, Haynes worked as chief of staff in Johnson’s personal office from 2017 to 2023. He also held the role of executive director for the House Conservatives Fund PAC from 2019 to 2020 and served as a grassroots coordinator for the campaign of former Sen. David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican, in 2015.

In addition, Haynes was a grassroots campaign manager for former Louisiana Republican Sen. Sherri Smith Cheek in 2011.

When reached for comment, Johnson’s spokesperson Taylor Haulsee directed The Epoch Times to a statement shared with NBC News.

The statement indicated that the House Speaker is “aware of the incident that took place last night involving his Chief of Staff and the Capitol Police.”

“The Speaker has known and collaborated closely with Hayden for nearly a decade and trusted him to serve as his Chief of Staff throughout his entire time in Congress,” Haulsee’s statement continued. “Due to this and Hayden’s esteemed reputation among both Members and staff, the Speaker has full faith and confidence in Hayden’s capability to lead the Speaker’s office.”

During his address to Congress on Tuesday, Trump covered a variety of topics, including immigration, trade tariffs, planned tax cuts, and others, wrapping up his first six weeks in office.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.