U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno called on his former son-in-law, Representative Max Miller, to resign from Congress on Sunday. Moreno cited domestic abuse allegations and concerns for his family’s safety as the bitter custody dispute between Miller and Moreno’s daughter, Emily, spilled over into national politics.
A bitter family feud reached Capitol Hill on Sunday as U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno publicly demanded the immediate resignation of Representative Max Miller. The extraordinary public split between the two Ohio Republicans arrives just days ahead of the state’s August 5 deadline to replace congressional candidates on the ballot, injecting severe political friction into an already contentious electoral landscape.
Senator Bernie Moreno Demands Resignation Over Custody Battle Allegations
Moreno broke a self-imposed public silence regarding the protracted legal battle on Sunday, taking to X with a lengthy statement detailing years of family strain. The senator asserted that his family had endured severe distress and argued that Miller’s conduct disqualified him from public office. If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them. He should not serve in the House of Representatives, Moreno wrote.
The public rebuke marks a stark reversal for Moreno, who previously maintained a strict policy against discussing the private family matters in the press. The dispute centers on an ongoing divorce and custody battle between Miller and Moreno’s daughter, Emily Moreno. In his Sunday statement, the senator expressed deep concern for the safety of his daughter and granddaughter, alleging that Miller exhibited erratic behavior and required professional intervention. Moreno stated that his family had endured “pure hellover the past two years. Moreno also wrote that Miller
needs serious psychological helpand stated that he fears for the safety of his granddaughter while she is in Miller's custody. Previously, Moreno had declined to publicly weigh in on the dispute, saying through a spokesperson that he does not
litigate these matters in the media” and that his top priority is the safety and well-being of his daughter and granddaughter.
Representative Max Miller Defends Candidacy on Live Video
Hours before Moreno’s social media post, Miller broadcast a live video on X to push back against the mounting scrutiny. The congressman, who served as a White House adviser during Donald Trump’s first term and carries a presidential endorsement, dismissed calls to abandon his campaign and insisted he would maintain his place on the ballot. I’m not dropping out of this race and I’ll win in November,
said Miller.
During the livestream, Miller denied any wrongdoing regarding domestic or child abuse allegations stemming from the divorce proceedings. He pointed to the lack of formal charges or substantiated findings from investigative bodies. 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 stated, adding that he fully cooperated with previous inquiries because he had nothing to hide. Miller stated: Every single one of these allegations were already investigated, and I cooperated fully every single time because I had nothing to hide and I have nothing to hide now.
To support his defense, Miller provided a Dropbox link during his broadcast containing court filings and related documents. The congressman also alleged that his ex-wife had struggled with mental health challenges during the course of their separation. Miller has denied the allegations and has not been charged with any crime related to the dispute.
Legal Fallout and Political Pressures Ahead of Ballot Deadlines
The public clash exposes deep fractures within Ohio Republican circles as the calendar closes in on the Aug. 5 deadline to replace congressional candidates on the ballot. While Miller vowed to press forward with his re-election bid, party leadership faces mounting decisions regarding whether to pressure the incumbent to step down before the window closes.
Legal maneuvering has intensified alongside the political pressure. In the days preceding Sunday’s public escalation, legal representation for Emily Moreno sought restraining orders to shield members of her legal team from contact or harassment by Miller. Stefan Mychajliw, a spokesman for Emily Moreno, rejected Miller’s public statements as an attempt to preserve his political standing.
Mychajliw maintained that extensive documentation exists supporting claims of dangerous behavior, emphasizing that public statements on social media carry no weight inside a courtroom. It is shameful that Max Miller decided to go on a bizarre and lie-filled rant about his ex-wife to desperately try to save his political career,
Mychajliw said in a statement. Mychajliw continued: 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.
Furthermore, Mychajliw stated: Miller can lie and spin on X, but he cannot do so under oath in a court of law. We are confident that justice will prevail in court.
Democrats, meanwhile, are closely monitoring the turmoil in northeast Ohio’s congressional district, viewing the Republican infighting as a potential opening to contest a seat.