Ohio Rep. Max Miller is facing allegations of domestic abuse from his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno. The accusations come as Miller, a former Trump White House aide, is seeking reelection in Ohio's 7th District, a seat considered reliably Republican.

Police reports obtained by ABC News detail Moreno's allegations of physical violence during their marriage and subsequent divorce proceedings. According to the reports, Moreno told police that Miller "threw her against the wall" and had previously "held a gun to her head" and thrown hot water on her. Moreno also recounted that their child, a 2-year-old daughter, stated, "Daddy kill you." The reports also indicate Moreno told police her daughter sustained physical injuries while in Miller's care.

Miller has vehemently denied all allegations of abuse against his wife or daughter. He has filed a defamation lawsuit against Moreno, asserting that her accusations are part of a "repeated pattern" of false claims intended to damage his reputation, gain an advantage in custody and litigation, and seek revenge.

Records show Miller was never charged with a crime, and the Department of Children and Family Services did not find evidence to substantiate the child abuse allegations, according to court filings.

This is not the first time Miller has faced accusations of violence. Former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham alleged in her 2021 memoir that she was physically abused by a partner while working at the White House. She later identified Miller as that individual in a Washington Post op-ed, claiming she had reported the alleged abuse to White House officials at the time, who she said failed to act.

Miller denied Grisham's allegations and sued her for defamation during his previous congressional campaign. The two parties reached a confidential settlement, which Grisham is now alleging Miller violated by discussing the case in his denials of Moreno's accusations. She is currently suing Miller for this alleged breach.

Lawyers for Emily Moreno have applied for a restraining order against Miller, citing "harassment and threats" by the congressman directed at her legal team. Miller has publicly criticized his ex-father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno, on social media, suggesting the senator enables his daughter's "malicious campaign" and urging him to intervene.

A spokesperson for Sen. Moreno stated that the senator's "top priority is the safety and well-being of his daughter and granddaughter" and that he "will do whatever it takes to ensure a just outcome for his family."

Electoral Impact and Outside Involvement

Cook Political Report recently adjusted the race's ranking from "Solid Republican" to "Likely Republican." This shift followed internal polling that showed Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter trailing Miller by only one point. Miller secured his current district with 51% of the vote in the 2024 election, partly due to a strong third-party candidate. The district was carried by Donald Trump with 55% of the vote in the same election cycle.

While Poindexter's campaign has not made the allegations a central theme, outside groups have amplified the accusations. The pro-labor Battleground Alliance PAC reportedly conducted robocalls to approximately 100,000 households, detailing claims made by both Moreno and Grisham.

The House Majority PAC, which supports Democratic candidates, indicated its willingness to "do whatever it takes to take back the House" and stated that "Brian Poindexter will defeat the scandal plagued Max Miller."

Calls for Investigation and Official Response

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine described the accusations as "troubling" and noted that "people of the district are having to weigh the facts." Ohio Democratic Rep. Shontel Brown has called for Miller's resignation.

At least one member of Congress, Democratic Rep. Sam Liccardo of California, has called for an immediate House Ethics Committee investigation into the allegations, stating, "Congress must never serve as a safe harbor for abusers."

House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed the situation, emphasizing that the allegations are part of an ongoing process. "The House Ethics Committee works on those things," Johnson said. "If allegations are made, they work through a process. So I I'm not in the business of commenting on investigations as they as they're in process, and we'll see how that shakes out."

The House Ethics Committee has declined to comment on whether an investigation into Miller's conduct is underway.

| Rep. Max Miller