House Ethics Committee Opens Investigation into Domestic Violence Allegations Against Rep. Max Miller
WASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee has launched an investigation into Rep. Max Miller, escalating the political crisis engulfing the Ohio Republican as allegations of domestic abuse threaten his reelection campaign and intensify pressure from both President Donald Trump and his former father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno.
The bipartisan panel announced Tuesday that it is reviewing whether Miller "may have engaged in domestic violence and abuse or illegal drug use," marking the most significant congressional action yet against the second-term lawmaker and former Trump adviser.
The investigation comes as Miller faces a Wednesday deadline to decide whether to remain in the race, with Republicans increasingly concerned the controversy could jeopardize a key House seat as they fight to preserve their majority in this year's midterm elections.
Earlier Tuesday, Miller said he had requested an ethics investigation into allegations made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, saying he wanted to "clear my name" and insisting, "I have nothing to hide." It remains unclear whether his request prompted the committee's action.
Behind the scenes, Trump has also weighed in. The president spoke with Miller on Monday and warned that his candidacy "doesn't look good," according to a person familiar with the private conversation who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly. Axios first reported the conversation.
Despite the mounting scrutiny, Miller has refused to step aside. The lawmaker, whom Trump endorsed in May, reiterated over the weekend that he intends to remain in the race, using a livestream on X to defend himself while releasing documents tied to his divorce and child custody proceedings.
"I'm not dropping out of this race and I'll win in November," Miller declared.
The allegations have triggered an increasingly public family feud. Miller is facing multiple legal filings from his ex-wife — the daughter of Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno — as well as from a former girlfriend.
After remaining largely silent at his daughter's request, Moreno forcefully condemned Miller on Tuesday, describing the ordeal for his daughter, granddaughter and family as "truly the seventh level of hell."
"This has been brutal beyond comprehension," Moreno told reporters at the Capitol. "And if there's any minimum standard for being a public official, as I said, he fails to meet that minimum, basic standard."
Moreno dismissed questions about the political fallout for Republicans, saying, "I don't care about the politics at all." Instead, he focused on the family's well-being, telling reporters he traveled Sunday to a suburban Cleveland police station where Miller was dropping off the couple's 2-year-old daughter during a custody exchange.
Moreno said Miller's weekend livestream ultimately prompted him to abandon his silence and publicly call for the congressman to leave office.
Trump, however, stopped short of urging Miller to withdraw. Speaking Monday during an Oval Office event, the president emphasized that the claims remain allegations.
"I know Max. He's a good person. I mean, I always thought he was a very good person," Trump told reporters. "And I'm going to let the families figure that out."