Ohio Rep. Miller rejects calls to leave reelection race as domestic abuse claims surface

Lead

Ohio Republican Representative Max Miller is refusing to withdraw from his November reelection campaign as domestic abuse allegations from his ex-wife and a former girlfriend continue to mount. Miller, who represents Ohio's seventh congressional district, has denied the accusations and has filed a defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife, while the House Ethics Committee has opened an investigation. His refusal to step aside has drawn calls for resignation from his former father-in-law, Senator Bernie Moreno, and from the gun violence prevention group Giffords.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of the story has focused on the nature of the allegations and Miller's response. Reports from The Guardian and the Jerusalem Post agree on the core allegations: Miller's ex-wife, Emily Moreno, has accused him of holding a gun to her head, throwing hot water at her, and potentially fracturing their two-year-old daughter's collarbone. Both outlets also note that Miller has denied the allegations and continues his reelection bid despite them.

The outlets diverge in emphasis. The Guardian's reporting has centered on the political fallout, including concerns among Republican voters in Miller's district about his fitness for office and the possibility that a Democrat could win a seat that has historically leaned Republican. The Jerusalem Post has focused on Miller's denial, his decision to run, and his defamation suit against Moreno, while also noting that President Donald Trump called Miller a "good person." The Jerusalem Post is the only one of the two outlets to report that the House Ethics Committee has opened an investigation into the allegations, a claim carried by a single outlet and not yet independently verified.

Key Claims

The allegations against Miller first came to light through Emily Moreno, his ex-wife and the daughter of Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno. Moreno has accused Miller of holding a gun to her head, throwing hot water from a pan at her, and fracturing their daughter's collarbone, as reported by both The Guardian and the Jerusalem Post. She has also alleged that Miller physically attacked her attorney and another legal representative, according to The Guardian, and that he regularly speaks to her in an "inappropriate, aggressive and demeaning manner." The couple has been engaged in a custody battle since 2024, as The Guardian reported.

Miller has consistently denied the allegations. In a statement on Sunday, he rejected Moreno's accusations, saying, "I have never abused our daughter," and framed the claims as part of a custody dispute. He also released documents from his divorce and custody cases that he said supported his version of events, as reported by the Jerusalem Post. In May, Miller sued Moreno for defamation, claiming she made "false, malicious, and defamatory statements" about him, according to the Jerusalem Post. He has also blamed "leftwing media" and his former wife for initiating a campaign to sully his name, as The Guardian reported.

The defamation case has drawn in Senator Bernie Moreno, who has been accused by Miller of funding and enabling his daughter's "malicious campaign to ruin my life." In response, a spokesperson for Senator Moreno told The Guardian: "Senator Moreno's top priority is the safety and well-being of his daughter and granddaughter... While he will not litigate these matters in the media or respond to baseless public attacks, he will do whatever it takes to ensure a just outcome for his family." On Sunday, Senator Moreno called on Miller to resign, posting on X that "He is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter."

The Jerusalem Post reported that Miller has said he will file for an ethics investigation into himself, and that the House Ethics Committee has since opened an investigation. The same report quoted President Trump saying of Miller: "I know Max. He's a good person. I mean, I always thought he was a very good person. And I'm going to let the families figure that out." Trump's comments were reported by the Jerusalem Post and have not been confirmed by other outlets covered here.

The Guardian reported that Miller also faces allegations from his former girlfriend, Stephanie Grisham, who served as White House press secretary under Trump. Grisham has accused Miller of abuse, adding to a history of allegations of violence toward women that Miller has denied.

Perspectives

• Max Miller: The congressman denies all allegations of domestic abuse, calling them false and part of a custody battle with his ex-wife. He has sued for defamation, released legal documents to support his case, and said he has nothing to hide, welcoming an ethics investigation.

• Emily Moreno and Bernie Moreno: Emily Moreno alleges a pattern of physical and verbal abuse, including gun violence and injury to their daughter. Her father, Senator Bernie Moreno, has called for Miller's resignation, saying he "fails to meet" any minimum standard for a public official and is a "danger" to his daughter.

• Supporters and officials: President Donald Trump has defended Miller as "a good person," and the House Ethics Committee has opened an investigation into the allegations, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.