Embattled Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) told an Ohio judge that he could miss court hearings for a civil protection order the congressman filed against his ex-wife due to his party’s narrow majority in the House.
Miller filed for an emergency CPO in February, claiming that his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, was harassing him by “making allegations” against him. Moreno, the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), has accused her ex-husband of abusing both her and their 2-year-old daughter, claims Miller has denied.
When asked by the judge if he had any questions, Miller said he did not, but raised a concern.
“I will make every hearing that you ask me to make,” Miller began. “The only consideration, and I’m not asking for special treatment whatsoever, and I want that on the record and understood, but my job right now is a little chaotic and we have a very small majority, and right now there’s a partial shutdown.”
According to the court transcript, reported by Mother Jones, Miller’s lawyer cut him off: “Max, nobody cares.”
At the time, the government was partially shut down due to an impasse over Immigration and Customs Enforcement funding following high-profile enforcement incidents. Additionally, the GOP holds a slim majority in the House, and Miller is one member vying to keep his seat in the midterm elections.
Miller has remained steadfast that he will not step down from his reelection campaign. His colleagues from Ohio and in Washington, D.C., have withdrawn their support as the custody battle between Miller and his ex-wife, as well as her father, has played out on the national stage.
In defending himself against Emily Moreno’s claims, Miller released a trove of files as a record of his defense against her claims. A nude photo of their young daughter was included in those photos, and Emily Moreno on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Miller, alleging he “recklessly and intentionally” authorized the photo’s release.
Miller has been accused by Emily Moreno of throwing hot water from a skillet at her body, holding a gun to her head, and fracturing their daughter’s collarbone. The congressman has denied the allegations and calls them “politically motivated.”
MAX MILLER’S SUPPORT CRUMBLES BACK HOME AND IN WASHINGTON OVER ABUSE ALLEGATIONS
The CPO Miller requested in February was dismissed five months later when Miller said he no longer had concern for his safety. When requesting the emergency order, Miller said he had “substantial evidence” that Emily Moreno had put him in danger, but his lawyers later retracted those claims.
Miller filed for divorce in August 2024. The separation was finalized in December 2025, shortly before his personal life erupted into a series of accusations from his ex-wife, threatening to plunge his campaign into ruin.
