Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) chief of staff has pleaded not guilty to DUI charges he acquired the same night President Trump delivered his joint address to Congress.
Hayden Haynes, 35, appeared before D.C. Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann via a video call, The Washington Post reported.
Haynes was arrested by Capitol Police on allegations that he drove while under the influence in early March. Authorities say he “backed into a parked vehicle” around 11:40 p.m. on March 4.
The responding officer said the staffer was “unsteady” when he exited the car. Haynes told the police he had four drinks within a four-hour period, the Post reported.
The judge gave Haynes the ability to remain on release while his charges were pending, but the staffer was required to submit to a drug test and drug and alcohol assessment.
The prosecution is being handled by D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb, who has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration and the president’s efforts to slash federal spending and overhaul the workforce through mass layoffs.
Haynes’s next court date is set for May 16.
At the time of his chief of staff's arrest, Johnson's office said it was aware of the incident but believed in the staff member's ability to lead the office.
“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,” Taylor Haulsee, a spokesperson for Johnson’s office, said in a statement after the arrest.
