(TheRedAlertNews.com) – Speaker Mike Johnson’s chief of staff Hayden Haynes was arrested for DUI just after President Donald Trump’s historic joint address to Congress.
The incident occurred when Haynes accidentally backed into a Capitol Police vehicle around midnight, leading to his arrest.
Despite this embarrassment, Speaker Johnson stands firmly behind his trusted aide.
U.S. Capitol Police confirmed the arrest occurred nearly an hour after President Trump delivered his powerful address to a joint session of Congress.
According to police statements, Haynes backed his vehicle into a parked police cruiser, leading officers to investigate and then arrest him for driving under the influence.
“A driver backed into a parked vehicle…We responded and arrested them for DUI,” stated Capitol Police in their official report on the incident.
Haynes, a Louisianian with degrees from Louisiana Tech University and Gonzaga University, has been Speaker Johnson’s longtime trusted advisor.
He joined Johnson’s congressional office in 2017 and was elevated to the role of chief of staff in October 2023 when Johnson ascended to the Speakership.
Before working with Johnson, Haynes gained experience working for former Republican Louisiana Senator David Vitter.
Despite the arrest, Speaker Johnson expressed unwavering support for his chief of staff.
When asked by reporters if he was standing by Haynes, Johnson responded directly: “I am. I am.”
This level of loyalty demonstrates the strong professional relationship that has developed between the Speaker and his top aide over nearly a decade of working together.
Speaker Johnson’s spokesperson Taylor Haulsee said:
“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.”
The arrest came during what should have been a triumphant evening for Republicans, as President Trump delivered what many conservatives considered a masterful address to Congress.
Johnson himself praised the president’s performance, saying, “I’m sure it was received as well at home as it was there by the Republicans and the audience up in the gallery,” while criticizing Democrats who disrupted portions of the speech.
Following standard procedure for DUI incidents in Washington, Haynes was released with a citation to appear in court at a later date.
Unlike some federal offenses, DUI cases in the District of Columbia are prosecuted by the D.C. Office of the Attorney General rather than the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The liberal media might try to spin this incident to distract from President Trump’s powerful message to the American people.
However, Johnson’s office has remained focused on advancing the president’s agenda in Congress without allowing this personal matter to derail their efforts.
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