Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) chief of staff, Hayden Haynes, has pleaded not guilty to DUI charges that happened the same night President Trump delivered his recent joint address to Congress.
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, according to reports..
The judge overseeing the case 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.
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.
Haynes’s next court date is set for May 16.