Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) went live on social media Sunday morning to deny the domestic abuse allegations leveled by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, whom he said struggles with “significant mental health challenges.”
Before making the admission, the congressman said he did so “with great sadness and not anger” and that he didn’t want to “embarrass” or “attack” Moreno, the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH). Rather, in his view, Miller wanted to set the record straight regarding the allegations against him.
“She’s the mother of my daughter, and I sincerely hope she receives every bit of care and support that she needs,” he said, noting her mental health condition is medically diagnosed. “I do believe those struggles have contributed to allegations that I firmly dispute. That is a painful reality for everyone involved, especially our daughter, who we both need to think about more so than ever, and I feel as if I am the only one who does.”
“She deserves the biggest apology for all of this,” he said of his 2-year-old daughter, Ruth. The father noted his child will bear his last name.
Miller filed for divorce in August 2024 on his two-year wedding anniversary. The divorce, which he described as an “amicable” separation, was finalized in December 2025. Months later, the attacks against his reputation started.
In interviews with regional and national media outlets earlier this year, Emily Moreno accused her ex-husband of abusing her and their daughter. At one point, she claimed he threw boiling water at her. In his X livestream, Miller said the incident was simply “horseplay” in their kitchen.
“I sprayed water at her from the sprayer attached to our kitchen sink tap water, which does not reach boiling temperature or scalding,” he said in recounting the incident from June 2024 when they were still married.
Miller continues to deny all the allegations, especially an incident in which he held a gun to Emily Moreno’s head in front of their child.
“That never happened and is absolutely outrageous,” Miller said. “And two days after that allegedly occurred, ladies and gentlemen, she asked me to come over for dinner and to stay the night.”
“These are incredibly serious criminal accusations, and if these accusations were true, I would be in jail,” he added. “My former wife would not have been offering to cook me dinner and inviting me to playgrounds. Think about that, and I certainly would not have joint custody of my daughter.”
On social media, Miller posted a Dropbox link including all the court documents that he referenced in his live video.
The special announcement, which Miller teased less than 24 hours earlier, came days after Emily Moreno filed a restraining order against him. Miller allegedly grabbed her lawyer, Andrew Zashin, before Emily Moreno told her former spouse to let him go, according to the court filing. Emily Moreno and Zashin are being sued by Miller for defamation related to the domestic violence allegations.
In making the announcement, the House Republican confirmed he is refusing to drop his reelection bid. He is seeking a third term to continue representing Ohio’s 7th Congressional District. Miller will be facing Democratic nominee Brian Poindexter in November.
President Donald Trump endorsed Miller for reelection last year before all the legal drama ensued.
EMILY MORENO FILES RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST EX-HUSBAND REP. MAX MILLER
The congressman didn’t bring up a potential resignation from the House at all. Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH) has called for his resignation, while the Democratic Women’s Caucus in the House has called for an ethics investigation into the Ohio Republican.
Bernie Moreno has largely stayed away from commenting on the familial dispute. On Friday, he avoided a question on whether Miller should remain on the November ballot. “I don’t know,” the senator responded.