More than a month after allegations of domestic abuse against Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) first emerged, not a single Republican member of Congress has called for his resignation despite mounting pressure from advocacy groups and Democrats.
The silence continued even after Miller’s ex-wife Emily Moreno, the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), who had previously accused Miller of domestic violence, applied for a new restraining order against him on Thursday.
In the request, Moreno alleged that Miller “physically grabbed” one of her attorneys during a hearing earlier this week. The restraining order request follows earlier allegations of abuse detailed in court documents and reporting claiming Miller held a gun to his ex-wife’s head, scalded her by throwing hot water on her body, and fractured their 2-year-old daughter’s collarbone.
Tom Williams via Getty Images
Miller, who has served in Congress since 2023, is seeking reelection this November in what was considered to be a reliably red district. The Cook Political Report last month, however, shifted the rating of the race from “Solid Republican” to “Likely Republican” as more accusations surfaced throughout his campaign, threatening Republicans’ odds of maintaining the U.S. House majority.
Miller, meanwhile, has vehemently denied all allegations of abuse. He filed a defamation suit against Emily Moreno and launched an offensive against her father online. He has not indicated he would consider dropping out of the race.
The vast silence from Republicans is a striking contrast to the party’s response to misconduct allegations against Democratic political opponents. Earlier this month, GOP officials and conservative media quickly condemned ex-Democratic Maine U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner amid mounting sexual assault allegations and reports of misconduct from former romantic partners, criticizing supporters who initially backed or slow-walked disavowing his campaign. By comparison, allegations against Miller have drawn no public calls from Republican leadership for him to step down.
Miller did not respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
A spokesperson for Sen. Bernie Moreno told HuffPost Friday the senator’s “top priority is the safety and well-being of his daughter and granddaughter.”
“While he does not litigate these matters in the media or respond to baseless public attacks, he will do whatever it takes to ensure a just outcome for his family,” the statement added.
Asked by NOTUS Friday afternoon if Republicans should replace Miller on the ticket, Moreno said, “I don’t know.”
Senate colleague Jon Husted (R-Ohio) did not respond to HuffPost when asked for comment Thursday on whether he thinks Miller should step down. As he boarded an elevator in a Senate building, the Republican stood in silence until the elevator doors slowly closed.
Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan (R), during an interview with Kasie Hunt, defended Miller despite severe abuse allegations and called it a “family matter,” saying he hopes Miller wins re-election. Pressed on why his statement differed from the sharp criticism he had of Platner last month, Jordan stumbled in his response.
A spokesperson for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) also did not respond to requests for comment on whether the House Ethics Committee should open an investigation or whether Miller should resign. Johnson, however, told reporters at a press conference last week that “the key word there is ‘allegation’,” and referred to the House Ethics Committee’s review process.
Democratic Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called the allegations “certainly very serious and certainly troubling” but said it should ultimately be up to voters whether Miller stays in office.
The lone Republican exception has been Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who told Newsweek in a statement Wednesday that the allegations “must be investigated, and if true, he should resign immediately.”
Jennifer Bendery contributed to this report.