A top aide to House Speaker Mike Johnson pleaded not guilty after facing a charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence the night President Donald Trump made a speech to a joint session of Congress.
Politico reported that Hayden Haynes appeared Thursday at a hearing before D.C. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Heide Herrmann via video conference. Stuart Sears, a prominent white collar attorney, accompanied Johnson's aide.
Sears has represented high-profile clients like Steele Dossier source Igor Danchenko and Mueller investigation witness Sam Patten. While Haynes identified himself to the court, he let Sears do most of the talking.
ALSO READ: The new guy in charge of USAID doesn't believe in foreign aid
A U.S. Capitol Police report accused Johnson's chief of staff of being unable to complete a field sobriety test on the morning of March 5, just hours after Trump spoke to Congress. The arrest came after Haynes's white Tesla sedan struck a black Chevy Suburban twice.
Herrmann ordered Haynes to submit to a drug test and alcohol assessment but allowed him to remain free while his charges were pending.
Another court date was set for next month.
