Here’s what happened.
On Tuesday night, Capitol Police arrested Hayden Haynes, Chief of Staff to House Speaker Mike Johnson, after he was allegedly caught driving under the influence. Haynes, a trusted advisor to the Louisiana Republican for nearly ten years, was apprehended around 11:40 p.m. following an incident in which a driver backed into a parked vehicle. Authorities responded swiftly, and Haynes was arrested for DUI shortly after the situation unfolded.
The arrest occurred just 45 minutes after President Donald Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress, where Speaker Johnson had sat directly behind the President. Capitol Police confirmed that Haynes was the individual arrested, and NBC News was the first to report the story.
Despite the arrest, Speaker Johnson’s office issued a statement expressing confidence in Haynes. A spokesperson for Johnson emphasized the close working relationship the two have had over nearly a decade, noting that the Speaker has “full faith and confidence” in his Chief of Staff. “The Speaker is aware of the encounter involving his Chief of Staff and Capitol Police,” Taylor Haulsee, a spokesman for Johnson, said. “He has worked with Hayden for many years and has trusted him to serve in this critical role.”
Haynes’ reputation among colleagues and staff was also highlighted, with the spokesperson noting his esteemed standing in Congress. Speaker Johnson himself addressed the incident when approached by reporters on Capitol Hill. He reiterated his trust in Haynes, telling NBC News, “I’ve worked with him. He’s trusted and respected. And he has my full faith and confidence.”
This event, while unfortunate, underscores Speaker Johnson’s commitment to standing by his team, even during challenging times. Despite the arrest, the Speaker made it clear that his support for Haynes remains steadfast.