Capitol Police arrested a Republican chief of staff for drunk driving shortly after President Trump's speech to Congress on Tuesday night.
Hayden Haynes, the longtime top aide to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), reportedly backed into a parked vehicle near the Capitol around midnight.
There were no reported injuries in the incident, which occurred shortly after Trump wrapped up his speech to a joint session of Congress. Speaker Johnson sat directly behind Trump throughout his remarks, which ran for nearly two hours.
Around 11:40 p.m. Johnson's chief of staff backed into a parked vehicle near the Capitol, police said. Haynes was given a citation to appear in court and released.
"A driver backed into a parked vehicle last night around 11:40 p.m.,” United States Capitol Police confirmed in a statement to Breitbart News. “We responded and arrested them for DUI."
Haynes has been Johnson's chief of staff since the formerly obscure Republican from Louisiana entered the spotlight with his election as Speaker in 2023.
Defending Haynes, Johnson said he has "full confidence" in his loyal aide, who has an "esteemed reputation."
"The Speaker is aware of the encounter that occurred last night involving his Chief of Staff and the Capitol Police,” spokesperson Taylor Haulsee said. “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.”
President Trump has pledged to clean up the nation's capital, which, like many liberal cities, has seen a spike in crime and homelessness.
Trump's new acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Ed Martin, is launching a crackdown on gun crimes to "Make D.C. Safe Again" after violent crime rose under his leftist predecessor, former U.S. attorney Matthew Graves.
While the U.S. Attorney handles most crimes in the city, drunk driving offenses are an exception. The DUI case against Haynes will be prosecuted by a Democrat, D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb.
Meanwhile, the city began clearing tent encampments Friday after Trump threatened to intervene.
"Washington, D.C. must become CLEAN and SAFE! We want to be proud of our Great Capital again. Thank you Mayor Bowser for your efforts on behalf of the Citizens of our Country. Hopefully you will be successful!" Trump wrote in a post.
