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Sen. Bernie Moreno on Sunday publicly called for Rep. Max Miller to resign from Congress, marking his strongest condemnation yet of the Ohio Republican after renewed allegations of domestic violence and child abuse involving Miller and Moreno’s daughter, Emily Moreno.
The Ohio Republican said Miller “should not serve in the House of Representatives,” accusing the congressman of exhibiting a pattern of abusive behavior and urging him to seek professional help.
“I believe Max Miller needs to seek professional help to end the clear pattern of abuse he has left in his wake,” Moreno wrote in a post on X. “I believe he should not be free to continue endangering others until he does.”
The statement followed a livestream in which Miller denied allegations that he abused his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, or their daughter. Miller insisted no court or government agency had substantiated the claims against him and said he has never faced criminal charges related to the allegations.
“Just want to be clear: no court, no agency has ever substantiated any allegation of abuse against me. No criminal charge has ever been filed against me,” Miller said during the livestream. “Every single one of these allegations were already investigated, and I cooperated fully every single time because I had nothing to hide.”
Miller Says Political Motives Driving Criticism
Miller quickly responded to Moreno’s criticism, accusing the senator of making politically motivated statements rather than addressing the matter earlier.
“If my daughter said the same thing to me, I personally wouldn’t wait two years before holding him accountable,” Miller wrote on X. “You know this isn’t true and the only reason you are speaking out now is to hide from your own media circus.”
According to a person familiar with the family, Bernie Moreno had previously refrained from publicly criticizing Miller because his daughter did not want the dispute to become more public. That changed following Miller’s livestream Sunday.
Abuse Allegations Remain Central to Dispute
Emily Moreno has accused Miller of multiple acts of domestic violence, including pouring hot water on her, holding a gun to her head, and causing injuries to their daughter. Miller has categorically denied those allegations.
During Sunday’s livestream, Miller characterized the hot water incident as “horseplay in our kitchen,” saying he merely sprayed water from a sink sprayer. He also argued that Emily Moreno’s previous invitations for family activities and statements that he had not harmed their daughter contradicted the abuse allegations.
“My former wife would not have been offering to cook me dinner and inviting me to playgrounds,” Miller said. “And I certainly would not have joint custody of my daughter.”
Emily Moreno’s spokesperson, Stefan Mychajliw, sharply criticized Miller’s public remarks, calling them an attempt to salvage his political career.
“There is a documented trove of evidence that Miller has a history of violent and dangerous behavior and no amount of victim shaming will change that,” Mychajliw said. He added that Miller “cannot do so under oath in a court of law.”
Legal Battle Continues
The dispute has expanded into multiple legal proceedings. Miller has filed a defamation lawsuit against Emily Moreno and her attorney, while Emily Moreno’s legal team recently sought a restraining order against the congressman.
Miller also alleged during his livestream that his former wife has documented mental health challenges, saying he raised the issue not to embarrass her but to explain what he described as repeated false accusations.
“My former wife is engaging in a pattern of reporting incredible, serious, and destructive allegations with absolutely no evidence,” Miller said.
Emily Moreno’s representatives rejected that characterization, accusing Miller of attempting to discredit his former wife while avoiding accountability.
Political Fallout Intensifies
The controversy comes at a critical moment in Miller’s reelection campaign. Wednesday marks the deadline for Republicans to replace him on the ballot should he withdraw, though Miller has given no indication he intends to do so.
Democrats have increasingly viewed the suburban Cleveland district as a potential pickup opportunity amid the allegations.
Most Republican leaders have remained publicly silent. Bernie Moreno had previously declined to comment extensively, saying his priority was protecting his daughter and granddaughter rather than litigating the matter in public.
On Sunday, however, the senator said Miller’s recent conduct left him no choice but to speak out.
“It has been horrific to watch this play out in full public view,” Moreno wrote. “Our priority has always been protecting our daughter and our granddaughter.”
He added that Miller had privately acknowledged needing psychological help and said he fears for his granddaughter’s safety.
“As he has admitted privately, Max Miller needs serious psychological help,” Moreno wrote. “He is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter.”
Miller has continued to deny all allegations of abuse.
