Max Miller stays in Ohio race despite ethics inquiry, abuse allegations and pressure from Trump
The House Ethics Committee is investigating Representative Max Miller of Ohio over domestic-violence allegations he denies, as President Trump, Senator Bernie Moreno and fellow Republicans press him to abandon his bid for a.
Max Miller, the Republican representative for Ohio's 7th congressional district, is seeking a third term despite a House Ethics Committee investigation into domestic-violence allegations he denies. He stayed in the race past the ballot-replacement deadline, defying pressure from President Trump and Senator Bernie Moreno.
Representative Max Miller of Ohio is pressing ahead with his bid for a third term in Congress, refusing to step aside even as the House Ethics Committee investigates allegations of domestic violence against him and President Trump has warned him to end his campaign. Miller let pass a deadline for Republicans to replace him on the ballot, according to reports, meaning his name will remain before voters in Ohio's 7th congressional district. Miller, a Republican and former political appointee in the first Trump administration, has represented the district since 2023. He denies the abuse allegations, which involve his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, and their young daughter, according to news reports. The dispute has drawn in Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio, reported to be Miller's former father-in-law, who has publicly denounced him and said Miller needs professional help. The standoff matters now because a family dispute has become a party problem. Some Republicans had hoped Trump's pressure would push Miller out, and reports suggest the party is weighing potential replacement candidates. Miller has said he intends to stay in the race.
House Ethics Committee opens review of domestic-violence allegations
The House Ethics Committee announced on July 16, 2025, that it would investigate Representative Max Miller of Ohio, saying it was reviewing allegations that he may have engaged in domestic violence. The disclosure placed a formal congressional inquiry over a lawmaker who has represented Ohio's 7th congressional district since 2023.
According to reporting on the announcement, Miller himself requested that the committee open the investigation into his conduct — a step lawmakers sometimes take in an effort to clear their names. That claim has not been independently confirmed, and it remains unclear whether his request preceded the committee's public statement or when exactly it was made.
The committee has not disclosed the precise scope of its review or set out a timetable for completing it. Ethics inquiries of this kind can run for months, and the panel has given no indication of when, or whether, it will reach findings.
The allegations, Miller's denial, and the released images of his daughter
The allegations centre on Miller's ex-wife, Emily Moreno, and their 2-year-old daughter. According to reports, Miller appeared on CNN to defend himself against claims that he physically abused both of them, and during that defence he compared his situation to that of Donald Trump. Miller denies the allegations.
A separate dispute has erupted over sensitive images of the child. An attorney for Miller acknowledged accidentally releasing images of the 2-year-old in legal documents and, according to reports, apologised for the release. A lawyer for Emily Moreno described the photos as child sexual abuse material and demanded an explanation, according to those reports.
How the images entered the legal filings, who received them, and whether they were sealed remains unclear. Reports also indicate that Moreno asked a court to issue a restraining order preventing Miller from contacting her lawyer, a request filed by her legal representative. Miller has continued to reject the abuse claims throughout.
Senator Bernie Moreno breaks with his former son-in-law
The allegations have fractured Miller's family ties in public view. Emily Moreno, Miller's ex-wife, is reported to be the daughter of Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio. According to reports, the senator has publicly denounced his former son-in-law and pressed him over the abuse allegations. Bernie Moreno was quoted as saying he believes Miller needs to seek professional help to end what he described as a clear pattern of abuse Miller has left in his wake.
The dispute has also reached the courts. Reports say a lawyer representing Emily Moreno asked a court to issue a restraining order that would bar Miller from contacting her attorney. Miller has denied the allegations against him.
Trump's warning and the missed ballot deadline
President Trump personally warned Miller to end his re-election bid, but the congressman pressed on. Miller then declined to step aside ahead of the August 1, 2025 deadline for his party to replace him on the ballot, effectively locking in his candidacy for a third term in Ohio's 7th district.
Some Republicans had hoped pressure from Trump would force Miller out amid the abuse allegations. According to reports, the party is now weighing potential replacement candidates in the district, though options are limited with the deadline passed.
There are also concerns, reported at low confidence, that the escalating family dispute could damage Republican election prospects in a seat the party expects to hold. Miller has said he intends to remain in the race despite the mounting pressure from the White House and within his own party.
First Trump administration
Began representing Ohio's 7th congressional district
Won a second House term
House Ethics Committee disclosed review of domestic-violence allegations
Ohio ballot-replacement deadline passed with Miller staying in the race
Frequently asked questions
Why is Max Miller under investigation?
The House Ethics Committee has announced it is investigating Representative Max Miller of Ohio over allegations that he may have engaged in domestic violence. Miller has denied the allegations. According to reports, he appeared on CNN to defend himself against claims that he physically abused his ex-wife and their young daughter, and reports also say he requested that the committee open the investigation into himself. The specific conduct alleged has not been detailed publicly.
Who is Max Miller's ex-wife Emily Moreno?
Emily Moreno is Max Miller's ex-wife. According to reports, she is the daughter of Senator Bernie Moreno, Miller's former father-in-law, who has publicly denounced Miller and pressured him over the abuse allegations. Reports say a lawyer for Moreno asked a court to issue a restraining order preventing Miller from contacting her attorney, and described sensitive images of the couple's 2-year-old daughter released in legal filings as child sexual abuse material, demanding an explanation.
Is Max Miller still running for re-election?
Yes. Miller declined to step aside ahead of an August 1, 2025 deadline for his party to replace him on the ballot, and he is seeking a third term in Congress. President Trump warned Miller to end his re-election bid, but Miller continued his campaign. Some Republicans had hoped pressure from Trump would lead him to drop out amid the abuse allegations, and reports say the party is considering potential replacement candidates in Ohio's 7th district.
What happened with the photos of Max Miller's daughter?
An attorney for Miller acknowledged accidentally releasing sensitive images of Miller's 2-year-old daughter in legal documents, and according to reports the attorney apologized for the release. Reports say a lawyer for Miller's ex-wife, Emily Moreno, described the photos as child sexual abuse material and demanded an explanation. How the images entered the filings, who received them, and whether they were sealed has not been made clear.
Who is Max Miller and what district does he represent?
Max Leonard Miller is a Republican who has served as the U.S. representative for Ohio's 7th congressional district since 2023. He won a second House term in November 2024 and is seeking a third. Before entering Congress, he was a political appointee in the first Donald Trump administration, which ran from 2017 to 2021.
Compiled from reporting by 7 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
