Rep. Max Miller Denounced By Sen. Bernie Moreno, His Former Father-in-law

Sen. Bernie Moreno, the father of Emily Moreno who made allegations of domestic and child abuse to her ex-husband, Rep. Max Miller, denounced the Ohio congressman for the first time Sunday, calling for him to exit the House.

‘He should not serve in the House of Representatives,” the Ohio senator said of Miller in a post on X. “I believe Max Miller needs to seek professional help to end the clear pattern of abuse he has left in his wake. I believe he should not be free to continue endangering others until he does.”

Bernie Moreno’s statement comes after Miller made a public video on Sunday morning, attempting to clear his name from allegations of domestic and child abuse that he denies. He argued that his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, faced serious mental health challenges and posted a dropbox with documents he said would be further evidence to defend him.

“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 said on a livestream on Sunday. “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.”

A spokesperson for Miller did not immediately respond to a request for comment, neither did a spokesperson for Emily Moreno.

New details on allegations that Miller poured hot water on his ex-wife Emily Moreno, held a gun to her head and broke his daughter’s collarbone have drawn attention to his Ohio House race. Democrats now see the district as a potential flip opportunity, while Republicans have largely been silent.

Sunday’s statement is the first from Bernie Moreno directly weighing in on Miller ahead of the Aug. 5 deadline to put someone else on the ballot. Previously Moreno had few comments on the incident, noting in a statement through a spokesperson he doesn’t “litigate these matters in the media” and that his “top priority is the safety and well-being of his daughter and granddaughter.”

But on Sunday, following Miller’s extensive comments on a livestream Sunday, Bernie Moreno released his statement that said “It has been horrific to watch this play out in full public view.”

“Our priority has always been protecting our daughter and our granddaughter,” Bernie Moreno said. “Out of concern for the safety of my family, I hoped to keep this matter private but Max Miller’s increasingly erratic and dangerous behavior has made that impossible.”

He added, “As he has admitted privately, Max Miller needs serious psychological help. He is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter.”

In addition to denying the allegations, Miller has sued Emily Moreno and her lawyer for defamation. Emily Moreno's lawyer also filed a restraining order against Miller this week.

In the livestream, Miller once again argued that his ex-wife has “medically diagnosed” mental health challenges and that each of the allegations comes from her. He said he is “not raising that to embarrass her, to attack her” but that he hopes “she received every bit of care and support that she needs.”

“My former wife is engaging in a pattern of reporting incredible, serious, and destructive allegations with absolutely no evidence,” Miller said. “Every one of these allegations was investigated.”