House Ethics Committee Opens Investigation into Domestic Abuse Allegations Against Rep. Max Miller
House Ethics Committee launches probe into domestic abuse allegations against Republican Rep. Max Miller, a senior adviser to President Trump facing a reelection deadline in Ohio's congressional race.
What happened
The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into domestic abuse allegations against Republican Rep. Max Miller on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, according to reporting from AP News.
Rep. Max Miller is a senior adviser to President Donald Trump during his first presidency and was endorsed by the president in May 2026. He was facing a deadline to decide whether to stay in his reelection race for Ohio's congressional seat.
The ethics committee stated it was reviewing whether Miller "may have engaged in domestic violence and abuse or illegal drug use," according to AP News.
Miller requested his own investigation into the allegations made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, according to reporting from AP News.
President Trump spoke with Miller on Monday and advised that his candidacy "doesn't look good," according to a source familiar with the conversation, as reported by AP News.
Trump told reporters he'll let the families "figure that out" about the allegations, according to AP News.
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Miller's former father-in-law, described the impact on his daughter as "truly the seventh level of hell," according to AP News.
Sen. Moreno said if there's a minimum standard for being a public official, Miller "fails to meet that minimum, basic standard," according to AP News.
The election calendar published by Ohio secretary of state sets Aug. 10 as the day political party nominating committees must certify the name of anyone filling a vacancy caused by withdrawal or disqualification, according to AP News.
Miller is married to Emily Moreno, daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), according to AP News.
Miller and his ex-wife share custody of their 2-year-old granddaughter, according to AP News.
Why it matters
Republicans were nervous the allegations could cost them a seat in Ohio as they try to hang on to their House majority in 2026 midterms, according to AP News.
The timing is critical: Aug. 10 marks the deadline for political party nominating committees to certify the name of anyone filling a vacancy caused by withdrawal or disqualification, according to the election calendar published by Ohio secretary of state as reported by AP News.
What to watch
- The outcome of the House Ethics Committee's investigation into whether Rep. Max Miller "may have engaged in domestic violence and abuse or illegal drug use"
- Whether Rep. Miller will withdraw from his reelection race for Ohio's congressional seat before Aug. 10, when political party nominating committees must certify vacancy names
- How President Trump's advice to Rep. Miller that his candidacy "doesn't look good" plays out in the investigation
- The impact on Republican control of the House in Ohio as they try to maintain their majority in the 2026 midterms
By the numbers
- Aug. 4, 2026: Article publication date
- Aug. 10: Deadline for political party nominating committees to certify vacancy name
- May 2026: When President Trump endorsed Rep. Miller
- 2-year-old: Age of granddaughter shared in custody arrangement
Source snapshot
