House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Friday that Rep. Max Miller of Ohio must address domestic abuse allegations made by his ex-wife on his own, as the congressman fights a bitter divorce and has filed a defamation lawsuit against her.
Miller, in his second term representing Ohio's 7th Congressional District, faces accusations from Emily Moreno, whom he divorced last year. The couple married in 2022 at Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey and had a daughter together in 2023 before their divorce was finalized in June 2024, according to the Associated Press.
What the Right Is Saying
Johnson told NBC News he does not get involved in members' personal lives. "He's refuted some of these allegations, and he's got to work that out," Johnson said when asked about the accusations against Miller.
Miller has vehemently denied all allegations. In a statement on X, he called the claims "false" and part of "a malicious campaign to ruin my life." He wrote: "The false allegations against me come amidst a personal custody dispute and are simply an attempt to destroy my personal and professional reputation. I look forward to bringing the truth to light in court.".
President Donald Trump endorsed Miller for re-election on May 5, praising his Marine Corps service and work in Trump's first administration. "Max Miller has my Complete and Total Endorsement — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!" Trump posted on Truth Social.
Miller's lawyer told News 5 Cleveland the county informed him that Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services found no evidence of child abuse or neglect following a Bay Village Police Department dispatch in February to speak with a child protection specialist about suspected child abuse. The police department said its investigation remains ongoing and provided no further details.
What the Left Is Saying
Emily Moreno's spokesperson Stefan Mychajliw told the AP that Miller is attempting to silence his ex-wife the same way he silenced former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham. "Mr. Miller will not silence Ms. Moreno," Mychajliw said, adding that Miller is running the same legal playbook against a woman with photographs of her alleged injuries.
Grisham previously accused Miller of domestic abuse while they were dating during Trump's first term. Miller sued Grisham over those allegations included in her post-White House book but voluntarily dismissed the suit with prejudice in 2023 while denying the claims, according to AP reporting.
Emily Moreno's attorney Andrew Zashin has not commented on Miller's defamation lawsuit filed Wednesday in Cleveland federal court, which alleges a coordinated defamatory campaign spread through Daily Mail and other media outlets. The ex-wife raised allegations of domestic and child abuse in divorce court filings reported locally in late April.
What the Numbers Show
Miller is running for his third term representing Ohio's 7th Congressional District, which includes parts of Cuyahoga County in the Cleveland suburbs. He first won the seat in 2022 after primary challenger Max Rose declined to run following redistricting.
The defamation lawsuit filed Wednesday seeks damages for "considerable reputational and financial harm" caused by what Miller alleges was a coordinated effort between Emily Moreno, her attorney Andrew Zashin, and his law firm to spread false abuse allegations to media outlets including Daily Mail and the New York Post, according to AP reporting.
On May 8, Miller publicly accused his former father-in-law Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, of continuing to fund and enable what he called a malicious campaign despite knowledge of Emily's mental health issues. The senator has not responded publicly and his office declined comment Friday.
The Bottom Line
The allegations against Miller present an unusual test for House Republican leadership. While Johnson has declined to get involved in the personal matter, the combination of domestic abuse accusations from two women, photos published by Daily Mail allegedly showing injuries, and a child protective services investigation creates political risk heading into November's elections.
Miller's defamation lawsuit aims to shift the narrative by placing him in the role of accuser rather than accused. Whether that legal strategy succeeds or further escalates the dispute remains to be seen. The ongoing police investigation into suspected child abuse could provide additional developments before voters go to the polls.