US House Speaker chief of staff arrested in DUI case

ISTANBUL

Hayden Haynes, the chief of staff to House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, was arrested for suspected drunk driving after his car struck a Capitol vehicle following President Donald Trump's joint address to Congress, according to NBC News.

The incident was confirmed by two law enforcement sources and Johnson's office.

One source told the news outlet that a police report showed Haynes struck a Capitol vehicle around midnight and was arrested. He was released with a court citation.

The incident occurred after Trump's address to Congress on Tuesday night, when Johnson stood behind the president on the House floor.

US Capitol Police confirmed an arrest for DUI (Driving Under the Influence) after a driver backed into a parked vehicle around 11.40 p.m. (O440GMT).

Haynes, a trusted ally of Johnson, became chief of staff in October 2023. He previously held the position in Johnson's office from 2017 to 2023. He also worked for former Sen. David Vitter from 2009 to 2016.

Johnson responded, "I am. I am,” when asked by NBC News if he was standing by Haynes.

"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. 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," said Johnson spokesperson Taylor Haulsee in a statement.

In Washington, most crimes are handled by the US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, but DUI offenses are prosecuted by the DC Office of the Attorney General, led by Brian Schwalb.

The distinction matters because Ed Martin, the interim US attorney for DC, is a conservative activist with ties to Capitol Hill Republicans. Martin, who Trump wants as the permanent federal prosecutor, had access to Capitol Police video from the Jan. 6, 2021, riot, which he used to promote conspiracy theories. Schwalb's office did not immediately comment.

Washington police recently issued an arrest warrant for Republican Rep. Cory Mills, but Martin's office did not approve the warrant. Mills, who was investigated for an assault in an apartment building, claimed police helped "resolve a private matter."