U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno said his former son-in-law, U.S Rep. Max Miller, should not be serving in the House and should “seek professional help” as Miller defended himself against allegations of domestic abuse in a live video on X Sunday.
Moreno, who has been publicly restrained in recent months as the bitter custody dispute has played out between Miller and his daughter Emily, said in a lengthy post: “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.”
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.”
Miller said Sunday that he will remain in his race for reelection before a Wednesday deadline to replace him. Democrats have seen a new opportunity in his northeast Ohio congressional seat as the Republican incumbent has faced mounting pressure over the domestic abuse allegations in a bitter and drawn-out custody battle with his ex wife.
“I’m not dropping out of this race and I’ll win in November,” said Miller, who denied abusing his former wife and his daughter.
Custody dispute has escalated in recent weeks
Accusations against Miller, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump and was a White House adviser during Trump’s first term, have been public for years but have recently drawn increased scrutiny as back and forth in the case has escalated.
Emily Moreno has said that Miller scalded, hit and threatened her while they were married. Miller denied those allegations in the video, as he has in the past.
“It’s incredibly upsetting,” Miller said, as he went through a list of the allegations.
Miller also said he had nothing to do with a broken collarbone on their 2-year-old daughter that led Emily Moreno to contact authorities. The pair, who were married in 2022 and finalized their divorce last year, have presented different theories about how the injury occurred, according to court filings and police reports detailed in an article in the magazine Mother Jones that first revealed the child’s injury.
Miller accompanied his announcement with the release of a voluminous cache of investigative and court documents related to the custody dispute.
Spokesperson for Miller’s ex wife says video was ‘shameful’
A spokesperson for Emily Moreno, Stefan Mychajliw, said Sunday that the video was “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.”
Sen. Bernie Moreno’s statement on Sunday came after he had declined to comment on the specific allegations for months. Last week, a spokeswoman issued a statement saying the senator “will not litigate these matters in the media or respond to baseless public attacks.”
“Senator Moreno’s top priority is the safety and well-being of his daughter and granddaughter,” said the spokeswoman, Reagan McCarthy.
Potential GOP candidates eye Miller’s seat
The senator’s statement was prompting some hand-wringing behind the scenes in his home state, where Trump-endorsed candidates like Miller typically win with ease.
State Rep. Mike Dovilla, a U.S. Navy veteran and former presidential appointee to the Office of Personnel Management, and Kevin Coughlin, a former state senator and representative who ran for the U.S. House in 2024 and 2026, were among Republicans whose names were being floated should Miller drop his fall House bid, according to a high-ranking Republican who discussed the sensitive subject on condition of anonymity.
Democrats have recently called on Miller to resign, requested a congressional ethics investigation and suggested more help could be directed in the fall toward his Democratic opponent, union ironworker Brian Poindexter.
Miller won reelection two years ago with just over 51% of the vote.
U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno has publicly criticized his former son-in-law, U.S. Representative Max Miller, asserting that he should not serve in Congress and needs « professional help » amid allegations of domestic abuse. Moreno’s comments came during a live video session on X, where Miller defended himself against claims made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, in the context of an ongoing and contentious custody battle.
Moreno, who has remained relatively restrained throughout this personal conflict, expressed his concerns in a detailed post, stating that Miller does not meet the necessary standards of character for elected office. He emphasized that Miller poses a potential danger to his daughter and expressed anxiety for the safety of his granddaughter during the custody arrangements. Moreno’s comments have heightened scrutiny on Miller, who is currently facing allegations that include scalding, hitting, and threatening Emily during their marriage.
In response to the mounting pressure from these allegations, Miller affirmed his intention to continue his campaign for reelection, dismissing calls for him to withdraw from the race. He has received significant support from prominent figures, including former President Donald Trump, underlining his status within the Republican party. Miller firmly denied all accusations of abuse, reiterating his innocence in a live session where he expressed his frustration over the allegations that have resurfaced amid the custody dispute.
The bitter custody battle has escalated in recent weeks, with Emily Moreno alleging that Miller’s actions have been abusive. One particularly concerning incident involved their two-year-old daughter suffering a broken collarbone, leading Emily to contact authorities for assistance. The couple, who married in 2022 and finalized their divorce the following year, have offered conflicting accounts regarding the incident, which has been documented in court filings and police reports. Miller has released a comprehensive set of investigative and court documents related to the custody case, seeking to bolster his defenses against the allegations.
Emily Moreno’s spokesperson criticized Miller’s video appearance, labeling it as “shameful.” The spokesperson emphasized that using their daughter as a political tool to salvage Miller’s career is unacceptable. They expressed confidence that justice would prevail in court, indicating that Miller’s public statements are not reliable when contrasted with legal proceedings.
Moreno’s public comments mark a significant shift, as he had previously chosen to remain silent regarding the allegations. His spokesperson recently stated that the senator’s primary concern is the safety and well-being of his family. The fallout from this situation has led to discussions among Republicans regarding potential candidates who could step in should Miller decide to withdraw from his campaign. Notable figures mentioned as possible successors include State Rep. Mike Dovilla and former State Senator Kevin Coughlin.
Amidst this turmoil, Democrats have intensified their calls for Miller to resign from office, pushing for a congressional ethics inquiry into his conduct. They also expressed intent to bolster support for his opponent in the upcoming election, Brian Poindexter, a union ironworker who could capitalize on the current controversies surrounding Miller. In the previous election, Miller secured his seat with just over 51% of the vote, indicating a competitive environment for the upcoming election amid these developments.
Overall, the situation surrounding Max Miller has not only attracted media attention but also raised critical questions about character and accountability in public office, especially in light of serious allegations of domestic abuse. As the custody battle continues and the political landscape shifts, both Miller and those opposing him will likely face increased scrutiny and pressure in the months leading up to the election.
