House Ethics Committee opens investigation into domestic abuse allegations against Rep. Max Miller

The 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.

Miller, a senior adviser to Trump during his first presidency, was facing a deadline to decide whether to stay in his race for reelection, with Republicans nervous that the allegations surrounding the second-term congressman could cost them a seat as they try to hang on to their House majority in this year's midterms.

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."

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."

If Miller was persuaded to drop out of the race, he would have to make that decision soon. The election calendar published by the 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.