Republican Congressman Max Miller is confronting intensified scrutiny and calls for resignation following months of allegations of abuse leveled against him by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, the daughter of Senator Bernie Moreno. Miller has categorically denied all accusations and, in a recent livestream, released hours of audio and video recordings in an effort to prove his innocence.
During the livestream, Miller released a secretly recorded conversation in which his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, admitted to going through his backpack because she believed he had a drug problem. She expressed concern about his marijuana use and stated she found needles by his bed, which she claimed was a significant reason for their separation. Miller denied having needles by his bed and offered to take any drug test.
In another released recording, Miller acknowledged undergoing testosterone replacement therapy, asserting he had been transparent about it with Moreno. He stated he would not withdraw from his reelection bid, expressing confidence in winning in November. Miller's office stated that he is defending himself against what they described as relentless defamation, and his deputy chief added that all allegations against him have been found unsubstantiated.
Moreno has accused Miller of physically abusing her and their young daughter. Following Miller's livestream, Senator Bernie Moreno stated that his former son-in-law had privately admitted needing psychological help and called him a danger. The Senator also expressed that Miller should not continue to serve in elected office, citing a clear pattern of abuse. "If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them," Senator Moreno posted on X. "He should not serve in the House of Representatives."
President Donald Trump, when asked about the allegations, described the situation as "very sad" and stated he knows Miller as a "good person," adding that he would "let the families figure it out." He later told reporters he had "just learned about" the allegations and would be looking into them.
This is not the first time Miller has faced accusations of misconduct. Stephanie Grisham, a former White House press secretary under Trump, previously accused Miller of abuse, including pushing her against a wall and slapping her in 2020 after she accused him of cheating. Grisham wrote in an op-ed that she had informed the Trumps about the abusive nature of her relationship with Miller. Miller filed a libel suit against Grisham in 2021, which was later dismissed after an out-of-court settlement.
Sarah Matthews, another former Trump White House staffer, expressed support for Senator Moreno speaking out and stated on X that "@RepMaxMiller is not fit to serve in Congress." Vice President JD Vance has not yet commented on the matter.
Miller specifically addressed accusations of abusing his daughter, stating, "I have never abused our daughter." He also reiterated his denial of abusing his former wife. Emails previously revealed Moreno questioning Miller about a bruise on their daughter's neck, which Miller attributed to finger painting. He provided images of the activity, stating Moreno took their daughter to the hospital.
Miller remarked that if the abuse accusations were true, he would be in jail, noting that no criminal charges have been filed against him. Emily Moreno's spokesman, Stefan Mychajliw, responded to Miller's video by saying, "no loving parent would have ever used their daughter as a PR pawn to save their own political career."
Miller's congressional seat, representing Ohio's 7th district, is currently rated "Likely Republican" by the Cook Political Report. The deadline for Ohio Republicans to select a replacement candidate for Miller on the ballot is August 5. The Democratic nominee for the seat, Brian Poindexter, stated that "no one credibly accused of holding a gun to his wife's head and breaking their two-year-old daughter's collarbone belongs in the halls of power." Republican JR Majweski has indicated he would run for Miller's seat if the incumbent were to drop out.