Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) on Tuesday declined to weigh in on the mounting calls for Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) to resign, framing the controversy as a matter for the House and Ohio voters to resolve, and describing it as a personal family dispute.
“It’s a very sad and unfortunate case. It is a family matter, and I just, I don’t have any observations beyond that,” Thune told reporters when asked whether he agreed with Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), who over the weekend urged Miller to step down.
Moreno’s daughter, Emily Moreno, has accused Miller—her ex-husband—of domestic abuse, including throwing scalding water at her, holding a gun to her head, and fracturing their daughter’s collarbone. The two have been locked in a bitter custody battle over their young child. Miller has vehemently denied all allegations and has filed a defamation suit against Emily Moreno.
Pressed further, Thune said, “That’s something that the House of Representatives—it’s a House matter, and obviously, as I said before, it’s a family issue, too, in this case.” He added that “those decisions on the future there are going to be made ultimately by the people of Ohio.”
The Senate leader’s comments come as GOP anxiety over Miller’s reelection prospects intensifies. Miller, who is seeking another term, has remained defiant, insisting he will stay in Congress and on the ballot despite pressure from within his own party.
On Tuesday, the House Ethics Committee announced it had opened a probe into Miller to review allegations of domestic violence, abuse, or illegal drug use. The announcement came shortly after Miller said he would file paperwork to trigger an investigation, claiming he has “nothing to hide.”
The Ohio Republican has also faced calls to drop out from some state party figures, but he has dismissed them. Former President Donald Trump has reportedly warned Miller of a tough reelection fight, as detailed in Trump’s warning to Miller. Meanwhile, Emily Moreno’s attorney, Sarah G. Grisham, has sought a restraining order against Miller, as noted in the restraining order filing.
Miller’s case has become a test for the Ohio GOP, which must balance support for a sitting Republican with the seriousness of the allegations. The Ohio GOP faces a delicate political balancing act as it heads into the 2026 midterms. Miller, however, has vowed to fight the allegations and remain in the race, insisting he will be exonerated.
The House Ethics Committee’s investigation is ongoing, and Miller has said he will cooperate fully. The outcome of the probe, along with the custody battle and defamation lawsuit, will likely shape the political future of the Ohio congressman.
