(ReclaimingAmerica.net) – House Speaker Mike Johnson’s chief of staff Hayden Haynes found himself in hot water when he was arrested for alleged DUI just after President Donald Trump’s powerful address to Congress.
Haynes, a longtime Johnson ally, backed into a Capitol Police vehicle, leading to his immediate arrest.
Despite this embarrassing incident, Speaker Johnson has doubled down on his support for his trusted aide.
The arrest came at an unfortunate moment, occurring just an hour after President Trump delivered his joint address to Congress.
Capitol Police quickly responded to the scene near the Capitol building where Haynes had accidentally reversed into a parked police vehicle.
Haynes has been a fixture in Speaker Johnson’s political orbit for years, serving as his campaign manager in 2016 before joining his congressional staff in 2017.
The Louisianian, who holds degrees from Louisiana Tech University and Gonzaga University, was elevated to the position of chief of staff in October 2023 when Johnson ascended to the Speakership.
Speaker Johnson wasted no time expressing his unwavering support for his longtime aide.
When asked by reporters if he was standing by Haynes despite the arrest, Johnson responded simply: “I am. I am.”
The speaker’s office released a more detailed statement through spokesman Taylor Haulsee:
“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 incident came on the heels of what many conservatives considered a triumphant address by President Trump to a joint session of Congress.
The speaker himself praised the speech, noting 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 attempted to disrupt the historic event.
Legal experts note that DUI offenses in Washington are prosecuted by the D.C. Office of the Attorney General rather than the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Haynes was released with a citation to appear in court at a later date. Before joining Johnson’s team, Haynes worked in former Republican Louisiana Sen. David Vitter’s office, building his conservative credentials.
While the mainstream media has attempted to amplify this embarrassing incident, it remains to be seen what impact, if any, the incident will have on the day-to-day operations of Speaker Johnson’s office.
In the meantime, Republicans continue their important work supporting President Trump’s agenda and pushing back against Democrat obstruction in Congress.
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