Speaker Mike Johnson’s chief of staff could not complete a sobriety test after twice striking a black Chevy Suburban with his white Tesla sedan, according to an affidavit from the officer who arrested him for driving under the influence last week.
The officer who responded just after midnight — about an hour after President Donald Trump completed his joint address to Congress — said that Hayden Haynes “was slurring his words when voice activating his vehicle to open the glove compartment,” had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and said he’d had four drinks over a four-hour period.
Haynes needed help putting his glasses in his pocket, the affidavit alleged, and was unable to complete the remainder of the field sobriety test because he was swaying from left to right.
When asked to provide a urine sample, Haynes dropped the cup into the toilet, according to the report, and when he was given an additional cup he could not provide a sample.
The unidentified person in the SUV Haynes allegedly struck contacted Capitol Police “by communications,” the document said, suggesting that it was a police vehicle.
The affidavit was including in charging documents filed in D.C. Superior Court Monday. Asked for comment on the allegations, a spokesperson for Johnson’s office reiterated the speaker’s support for his top aide. Haynes did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment.
“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,” said the spokesperson. “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.”
Haynes’ arrest has not gone unnoticed by Johnson’s political foes. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) made reference to it at a rally Friday where he jokingly made reference to it in the context of Republican opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
“They’re not that into DEI. But they love DUI,” he said. “We gotta stop those DUI hires on Capitol Hill.”
