Ohio Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno took the extraordinary step on Sunday of publicly condemning a sitting Republican congressman, his former son-in-law Rep. Max Miller, declaring that Miller “should not serve” in the House of Representatives over allegations of domestic abuse.
In a lengthy post on X, Moreno said his daughter Emily, who was married to Miller, had accused the congressman of abusing her and their two-year-old daughter. “If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them,” Moreno wrote. “He should not serve in the House of Representatives.”
Moreno, who was elected to the Senate in 2024 and is one of Trump’s closest allies in Congress, said he had tried to keep the matter private but that Miller’s “increasingly erratic and dangerous behavior” made that impossible. He added that he “holds his breath every minute” Miller has custody of his granddaughter.
Miller responded in a live-streamed video on X, categorically denying the abuse allegations. “I categorically deny abusing my former wife,” Miller said, claiming to have a 2024 sworn statement from Emily Moreno stating her ex-husband did not harm their child. Miller said he would not drop his reelection bid for his northeastern Ohio congressional seat.
The public feud between two prominent Ohio Republicans has created a rare intra-party spectacle, with a sitting senator calling for the resignation of a fellow member of his own party. The allegations first surfaced through Emily Moreno’s legal filings, which detailed a pattern of physical and emotional abuse during the couple’s marriage.
Political analysts noted that the dispute could have significant implications for Ohio’s 2026 midterm races. Miller, who was first elected in 2022 and has been a loyal Trump supporter, now faces pressure from within his own party at a time when Republicans are defending a narrow House majority.
The confrontation also underscores the challenges facing the GOP as it navigates internal divisions ahead of the midterms. Neither the House Republican leadership nor the National Republican Congressional Committee has commented on the dispute.
Sources: CNN, AP News, New York Times
Author: USA Desk
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