Rep. Max Miller, an Ohio Republican, faces domestic abuse allegations from his ex-wife Emily Moreno as House Republicans maintain support for the two-term congressman ahead of his 2026 reelection campaign. In police interviews obtained by CNN in June, Moreno alleged that Miller held a gun to her head while she was changing their daughter’s diaper, and physically assaulted her on multiple occasions—allegations he has denied.
House Speaker Mike Johnson declined to pressure Miller to step aside when asked about the allegations on July 21, 2026. “The key word there is ‘allegation,'” Johnson said, comparing the situation to Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner’s recent suspension over sexual assault allegations. Johnson added that Republicans have “a process here” through the House Ethics Committee, without committing to any specific action.
Moreno, the daughter of Republican Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, described to police a February incident in which Miller allegedly became angry when she turned on lights while changing their daughter. She told detectives that Miller pointed a gun at her head during the confrontation. In other allegations, she described being thrown into a wall and other instances of physical abuse. Miller has disputed the gun allegation and denied all claims of abuse.
The allegations extend beyond Moreno. In May 2026, Miller filed a $25,000 defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife and her legal team, claiming she is “mentally ill” and suffers from bipolar disorder—a claim her attorneys deny. That same month, former White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham, who dated Miller from 2019 to 2020, accused him of breaking a confidentiality agreement they had settled in 2023. Grisham had previously alleged in a book that an ex-boyfriend working in the White House—a description fitting Miller—was physically abusive. Miller sued her for defamation over that allegation, then voluntarily dismissed the suit with prejudice in 2023.
Senator Moreno has largely remained silent on the dispute between his daughter and his Republican colleague. In May, when asked about Miller’s defamation lawsuit against his daughter, the senator told reporters that his only comment was that he loved his daughter and her safety was his top priority. He has not called for Miller to resign or be expelled from the House, and has made no additional public statements regarding the allegations.
The domestic abuse allegations have become a central issue in Miller’s reelection race in Ohio’s 7th District. Democratic-aligned super PACs have launched robocall campaigns highlighting the allegations, and the controversy intensified in late July when new details emerged from police reports and court filings. According to Mother Jones, in March 2026, Ohio’s Department of Children and Youth became suspicious about how Miller’s then-two-year-old daughter had broken her collarbone. Both Miller and Moreno told investigators they did not know the cause, though Miller theorized it could have come from a seatbelt. One court document quoted Moreno as saying her daughter once told her: “Daddy’s house is scary.” The county investigation ultimately did not find sufficient evidence of child neglect or abuse.
Miller’s legal maneuvering has drawn criticism from observers who argue it undermines his own defense. In a June filing, his legal team argued that leaked audio in which Miller appeared to acknowledge details related to abuse allegations against him—specifically regarding scalding water—effectively torpedoed his defamation lawsuit. One attorney characterized Miller’s actions as “reputational self-immolation.”
The Republican leadership’s handling of allegations against Miller contrasts with the swift action taken by Democrats. When Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, faced sexual assault allegations in July 2026, his campaign was suspended. Political strategist Mike Nellis noted on Fox News that the GOP appeared to hold a different standard for its own members, pointing out that Miller, who is running for reelection, had received far less scrutiny from Republican commentators than Platner.
Sources
- Rolling Stone — House Speaker Mike Johnson’s dismissal of allegations against Miller and Cory Mills, context on Republican response, details of Moreno’s police allegations, and comparison to Graham Platner case
- CNN — Police video interviews in which Emily Moreno describes allegations of gun to head and physical abuse
- Mother Jones — Court filings and police reports detailing allegations, collarbone injury investigation, and Moreno’s statement about daughter saying “Daddy’s house is scary”
- Politico — Miller’s May 2026 defamation lawsuit against ex-wife, seeking $25,000 in damages
- New York Post — Allegations of restraining order violations and details of abuse claims
- Newsweek — Recent coverage of domestic violence claims and their impact on Miller’s reelection race
