Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” Sunday that embattled Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, who is facing abuse allegations, should drop his re-election bid and resign “if the allegations are true.”
Miller’s ex-wife Emily Moreno, the daughter of Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio, accused the congressman of domestic violence. Miller has not faced criminal charges related to the allegations and vehemently denied them and has vowed to stay in the race.
“The allegations against him are terrible, and if he’s endangering a seat in Congress as we’re trying to keep the majority in the House, and he should drop out if he’s endangering that seat,” Banks told “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker. “He should drop out because of the allegations against him.”
The domestic violence allegations rocketed across the national political landscape after Miller posted a livestream denying them, prompting Sen. Moreno to publicly denounce his former son-in-law. Miller later called for the House Ethics Committee to investigate the allegations against him, saying he has “absolutely nothing to hide.”
Emily Moreno has accused Miller of throwing her against a wall, holding a gun to her head and throwing hot water on her, according to documents her lawyer released. Miller sued his ex-wife alleging defamation, and her lawyers moved to dismiss the lawsuit. Sen. Moreno said in a statement this month that Miller “is a danger to my daughter, and I hold my breath every minute he has custody of my granddaughter.”
Asked whether he believed Miller should resign from office, Banks said, “If the allegations are true and watching this play out publicly, of course he should resign.”
“I don’t know enough about the political dynamics, but I’ve watched the allegations, they’re deeply troubling, and I pray for all involved, especially the kid, and hope that justice prevails in this case,” Banks said.
A spokesperson for Miller did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Banks is the latest Republican to publicly call for Miller to step aside. Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., called Miller “a degenerate sociopath” and said he should step aside. Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, has said that Miller “would be making the right decision to step aside as a candidate and resign from Congress to focus on what is in the best interest of his daughter.” Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., and Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., have told media outlets that Miller should resign.
A spokesperson for the office of the Ohio secretary of state has told NBC News that Monday is the deadline to replace a candidate. Miller was expected to headline an event in his district on Monday, but the Republican organization canceled the event days ago, citing security concerns.
