Ohio Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) has voluntarily requested a House Ethics Committee investigation into domestic abuse allegations made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, while simultaneously rejecting calls from fellow Republicans to resign from his congressional race. Miller, who denies all allegations, has also filed a defamation lawsuit against Moreno, who has accused him of physical abuse, including holding a gun to her head and fracturing their 2-year-old daughter’s collarbone.
Miller’s ex-wife, the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), has alleged in court documents that Miller withheld their daughter’s beloved "blue bunny" stuffed animal during custody exchanges, a claim Miller disputes by releasing text messages and emails. The dispute over the toy, which Emily Moreno described as her daughter’s "security blanket," has become a focal point in the ongoing custody battle and public scrutiny of Miller’s conduct.
Miller’s Response and Legal Actions
Miller has framed the allegations as part of a custody dispute and has released documents he claims support his denial of abuse. In a livestream on Sunday, he questioned why Moreno would have invited him to a playground with their daughter if the abuse allegations were true. Miller also sued Moreno for defamation in May, alleging her claims were "false, malicious, and defamatory." Moreno’s legal team has moved to dismiss the suit.
On Tuesday, Miller voluntarily requested the House Ethics Committee investigate the allegations, stating he had "absolutely nothing to hide." The committee confirmed it had opened an investigation. Miller has also repeatedly vowed to remain in the race for Ohio’s 7th Congressional District, despite mounting pressure from fellow Republicans.
GOP Leaders Urge Miller to Step Down
A growing number of Republican officials, including Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) and Sen. Bernie Moreno, have called on Miller to resign from Congress and drop his reelection bid. Husted posted on X that "anyone who commits domestic violence is not fit to serve in Congress" and urged Miller to step aside. Sen. Bernie Moreno told CNN he sent his daughter, granddaughter, and wife "out of state to a secure place" due to safety concerns, though Miller disputed this claim, showing CNN emails indicating his ex-wife had shared flight information with him.
Allegations and Timeline
Emily Moreno’s allegations include claims that Miller held a gun to her head, threw her against a wall, and threw hot water on her, as detailed in court documents. Miller has not faced criminal charges related to these allegations. In 2021, a Politico report accused Miller of pushing a fellow student down the stairs after she rejected his advances in high school. Additionally, Miller’s ex-girlfriend, Stephanie Grisham, filed for a restraining order against him in June, describing an abusive relationship in a 2021 Washington Post op-ed.
Miller has dismissed the allegations as an "extreme fabrication of the truth" and has pointed to Trump’s 2016 campaign as a model for resilience amid similar scrutiny. President Donald Trump, who has not called for Miller’s resignation, has previously referred to Miller as a "good person" but warned that the allegations may harm his reelection prospects.
Custody Dispute and Public Scrutiny
The conflict over the "blue bunny" stuffed animal has become a symbol of the broader custody dispute between Miller and Moreno. Emily Moreno’s emails and text messages, obtained by Mother Jones, suggest the toy’s withholding was part of a pattern of behavior rather than a single incident. Miller has denied withholding the bunny and accused Sen. Bernie Moreno of spreading "lies."
The Ohio Secretary of State’s office has noted that the deadline for Miller to withdraw from the ballot is August 10, with replacement candidates to be selected by county party chairs if he steps aside. Miller has not indicated any intention to withdraw, despite the growing pressure from his party.