Giffords group calls on Max Miller to resign over domestic abuse allegations

House Giffords group calls on Max Miller to resign over domestic abuse allegations Comments: by Sudiksha Kochi - 07/29/26 2:25 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Sudiksha Kochi - 07/29/26 2:25 PM ET Comments: Link copied

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Giffords, a gun violence prevention advocacy group founded by former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.), called for Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) to resign Wednesday over allegations that he had physically abused his ex-wife.

Miller, who is running for reelection, has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks amid a contentious legal battle with his ex-wife, Emily Moreno — the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) — who has accused him of physically harming her.

The group pointed to recent reporting from The New York Times that his ex-wife alleged he “scalded her chest and stomach by throwing hot water from a skillet at her body; held a gun to her head; pushed her against a wall and hit her head; and fractured their daughter’s collarbone and bruised her shoulder.” The lawmaker has denied the allegations.

“Congress is no place for violent abusers who attack their family and hold a gun to their wife’s head. Max Miller needs to resign now — and if he refuses, the House should expel him,” Emma Brown, Giffords executive director, wrote in a statement.

“If Republicans in Congress use their power to shield dangerous abusers from consequences it will give voters yet another reason to take away their majority this November,” Brown added.

Miller and Moreno filed for divorce in August 2024 and have been engaged in a custody battle over their young daughter. Miller filed a defamation lawsuit against Moreno in May, claiming that she worked with Cleveland-based law firm Zashin Law to issue statements to national media outlets like the Daily Beast, New York Post, TMZ and Daily Mail alleging he abused her.

Lawmakers have been eyeing potential reforms to address sexual misconduct allegations on Capitol Hill. Former Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) had stepped down from office earlier this year after being embroiled in their own controversies and facing bipartisan calls to exit Congress.

Asked why Miller and Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) — who is also facing allegations of domestic violence — have not been pushed out of the House GOP, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said during a presser last week that “the key word there is allegation.”

“We have a process here in the House, the Ethics Committee works on those things. If allegations are made, they work through a process,” Johnson continued. “So, I’m not in the business of commenting on investigations as they’re in process, and we’ll see how that shakes out.”

“That’s how this always works. And by the way, it’s done for Rs and Ds — both sides of the aisle,” Johnson added, referring to both Republicans and Democrats.

Ryan Mancini and Emily Brooks contributed to this report.