Sen. Bernie Moreno Says Rep. Max Miller Should Leave Congress and Seek Help/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno said his former son-in-law, Rep. Max Miller, should not serve in Congress and needs professional help amid disputed domestic abuse allegations. Miller denied abusing his former wife, Emily Moreno, or their daughter and said he will remain in the race for reelection. President Donald Trump called the claims accusations and said he would examine the situation as Republicans considered possible replacement candidates.
Quick Look
- Bernie Moreno said Miller should not serve in the House.
- The senator said Miller should “seek professional help.”
- Miller denied abusing Emily Moreno or their daughter.
- He said he would not withdraw from his reelection campaign.
- Wednesday is the deadline for Republicans to replace him on the ballot.
- Trump said “so far it’s accusations.”
- Trump previously endorsed Miller.
- Emily Moreno has accused Miller of scalding, hitting and threatening her.
- Miller denies all allegations of abuse.
- The former couple disputes how their 2-year-old daughter broke her collarbone.
- Miller released court records, investigative documents and recordings.
- Emily Moreno’s spokesperson called his video “shameful.”
- Republicans are discussing Mike Dovilla and Kevin Coughlin as possible alternatives.
- Democrat Brian Poindexter is challenging Miller.
- Miller won his 2024 election with just over 51% of the vote.
Deep Look
Bernie Moreno says Miller should leave Congress
WASHINGTON — Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio said his former son-in-law, Rep. Max Miller, should not continue serving in the House as allegations of domestic abuse intensify political pressure on the congressman.
Moreno issued an unusually direct public condemnation Sunday while Miller defended himself in a live video posted on X.
The senator had previously avoided commenting in detail on the custody dispute between Miller and Moreno’s daughter, Emily.
His decision to speak publicly represents a significant escalation that could affect Miller’s reelection campaign and Republican control of his northeast Ohio congressional district.
Senator says Miller fails character standards
Moreno said Miller lacks the character required for elected office.
“If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them. He should not serve in the House of Representatives.”
The senator also argued that Miller needs professional treatment and poses a risk to his family.
Moreno wrote that Miller “needs serious psychological help. He is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter.”
The statements reflect Moreno’s views and allegations in an ongoing family and legal dispute. No court finding establishing the abuse allegations was described in the supplied report.
Miller refuses to withdraw from race
Miller said he will continue seeking reelection despite the growing pressure.
“I’m not dropping out of this race and I’ll win in November,” Miller said.
The Republican candidate faces a Wednesday deadline for withdrawing and allowing the party to replace him on the ballot.
Miller denied abusing his former wife and their daughter.
He also released a large collection of investigative and court records, audio recordings and video clips that he said support his account of the custody dispute.
Trump says claims remain accusations
President Donald Trump endorsed Miller and employed him as a White House adviser during his first administration.
Asked Sunday whether Miller should resign, Trump declined to reach an immediate conclusion.
He said that “so far it’s accusations.”
“I’ll be looking at it,” Trump added.
Trump’s response left open the possibility that he could reconsider his support before Wednesday’s ballot deadline.
His position could strongly influence whether Ohio Republicans continue backing Miller or pressure him to withdraw.
Abuse allegations receive renewed scrutiny
Allegations involving Miller have been publicly known for years but have attracted increased attention as his legal dispute with Emily Moreno escalated.
She has accused Miller of scalding, hitting and threatening her during their marriage.
Miller denied each allegation during his Sunday video, repeating the position he has taken in court filings and earlier public statements.
“It’s incredibly upsetting,” Miller said while reviewing the accusations.
The couple married in 2022 and finalized their divorce in 2025.
Former couple disputes daughter’s injury
The dispute also involves a broken collarbone suffered by the former couple’s 2-year-old daughter.
Emily Moreno contacted authorities after the injury.
She and Miller have offered different explanations for how it occurred, according to court records and police reports detailed by Mother Jones in July.
Miller said Sunday that he had nothing to do with the injury.
The supplied report does not identify a criminal charge or court finding holding Miller responsible for it.
Miller releases documents and recordings
Miller accompanied his video with a large collection of materials related to the custody dispute.
The release included court filings, investigative documents and audio and video clips.
He presented the materials as support for his denial of the allegations.
Because the records were selected and released by Miller during an active political and family dispute, their full context and legal significance may require evaluation by the court and investigators.
The public release also brought additional private family details into the congressional campaign.
Emily Moreno spokesperson condemns video
Stefan Mychajliw, a spokesperson for Emily Moreno, called Miller’s public presentation “shameful.”
“No loving parent would have ever used their daughter as a PR pawn to save their own political career,” Mychajliw said. “Miller can lie and spin on X, but he cannot do so under oath in a court of law. We are confident that justice will prevail in court.”
His statement reflects Emily Moreno’s position in the disputed case.
The legal process surrounding custody and the allegations remains ongoing.
Sen. Moreno had declined for months to discuss his daughter’s specific allegations publicly.
Only last week, his office said he would focus on his family rather than debate the case through the media.
The senator “will not litigate these matters in the media or respond to baseless public attacks,” spokesperson Reagan McCarthy said at the time.
“Senator Moreno’s top priority is the safety and well-being of his daughter and granddaughter,” she added.
His Sunday statement marked a substantial departure from that more restrained approach.
Republican concerns grow before deadline
Moreno’s condemnation prompted private concern among Republican officials in Ohio.
Candidates endorsed by Trump typically hold a strong advantage in the state’s Republican-leaning districts.
Miller’s political position has become less certain because of the allegations, the senator’s intervention and the possibility that national Democratic groups could invest in the race.
Republicans have only until Wednesday to decide whether to retain Miller or attempt to place another candidate on the ballot.
No Republican replacement had been formally selected.
Potential Republican alternatives emerge
Several Republican names were being discussed as possible candidates if Miller withdraws.
State Rep. Mike Dovilla is a U.S. Navy veteran and a former presidential appointee to the Office of Personnel Management.
Kevin Coughlin previously served in the Ohio House and Senate and ran for Congress in 2024 and 2026.
A senior Republican discussed their names anonymously because the conversations were politically sensitive.
Neither was identified in the supplied report as formally seeking to replace Miller.
Democratic challenger sees opportunity
Democratic nominee Brian Poindexter said someone facing such serious allegations does not belong in Congress.
He said no one facing the accusations “belongs in the halls of power.”
Democrats already viewed Miller as potentially vulnerable because he won reelection in 2024 with just over 51% of the vote.
The party has called for his resignation and requested a congressional ethics investigation.
National Democratic organizations are also considering whether to direct additional money and campaign assistance toward Poindexter.
District could affect control of House
Miller represents a Republican-leaning district in northeast Ohio.
Trump won the district decisively, but Miller’s relatively narrow result two years ago has encouraged Democrats.
A change in Republican nominee could reduce the political impact of the allegations but create logistical and campaign challenges only months before Election Day.
Keeping Miller would preserve the advantage of incumbency while risking continued attention to his family and legal disputes.
The decision therefore carries consequences for both the district and the national battle for control of the House.
Miller faces political and legal pressure
Miller’s immediate political future depends on whether he maintains party support through Wednesday’s replacement deadline.
He has clearly stated that he intends to remain in the race.
Moreno’s public condemnation, however, gives Republicans a prominent conservative voice for arguing that the party should make a change.
Trump has not withdrawn his endorsement, but his promise to review the allegations creates further uncertainty.
Meanwhile, the custody dispute and abuse claims remain contested legal matters, with Miller denying wrongdoing and Emily Moreno’s representatives saying they expect the courts to vindicate her position.
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