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House Ethics Committee opens investigation into domestic abuse allegations against Rep. Max Miller
Associated Press (updated wire, via Atlanta Journal-Constitution) ·
back to the auditThe House Ethics Committee said Tuesday it had opened an investigation into domestic abuse allegations against Republican Rep. Max Miller as the embattled Ohio congressman faced pressure from President Donald Trump and escalating criticism from his former father-in-law, Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno.
Leaders of the ethics committee said in their statement that the committee was reviewing whether Miller "may have engaged in domestic violence and abuse or illegal drug use." Earlier in the day, Miller said he had requested his own investigation into the allegations made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno. It was not clear whether his request or another one prompted the committee to investigate.
Trump spoke with Miller on Monday and advised that his candidacy "doesn't look good," according to a source familiar with the conversation who was granted anonymity to discuss a private conversation. Trump's conversation with Miller was first reported by Axios.
Miller said during a CNN interview Tuesday that he wasn't exiting the race, despite what he described as Trump's words of caution.
"Maxie, it's going to be a tough race. And he said, I don't know if you're going to be able to, you know, pull this one out," he quoted Trump as saying during their conversation.
Miller added: "I will never, ever, ever let my baby girl see her dad walk away as a quitter. I will continue to finish this."
Sen. Moreno, who until Sunday had remained quiet about the allegations at his daughter's request, on Tuesday described the impact on his daughter, granddaughter and wider family as "truly the seventh level of hell."
"This has been brutal beyond comprehension," he told reporters at the Capitol. "And if there's any minimum standard for being a public official, as I said, he fails to meet that minimum, basic standard."
"I know Max. He's a good person. I mean, I always thought he was a very good person. And I'm going to let the families figure that out," Trump told reporters when asked about Miller during an Oval Office event.