Embattled Rep. Max Miller Scurries Through Congressional Hallways Dodging Questions from Reporters

Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images

Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) scurried down a congressional office hallway Wednesday, dodging questions from reporters about an Epstein files discharge petition and a new ad from his Democratic opponent, and it was all caught on video.

The custody battle between Miller and his ex-wife Emily Moreno has played out in the public eye, with Moreno accusing her ex-husband of pointing a gun at her head, throwing scalding hot water on her, pushing her into a wall, and physically abusing their two-year-old daughter, fracturing the toddler’s collarbone.

Miller has denied wrongdoing, defending himself in eyebrow-raising social media posts and television interviews that have only sparked new questions and concerns. Last month, Miller posted a Dropbox link online containing files that reportedly included a nude photograph of their daughter and her unredacted full name, leading Emily Moreno to sue him on their daughter’s behalf, citing the congressman’s “incomprehensible recklessness.”

Miller’s ex-father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), has accused the congressman of “increasingly erratic and dangerous behavior” and called on him to drop his re-election bid, but President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) have shrugged off the controversies and seemed to remain in his corner.

Meanwhile, Miller’s opponent, Democratic nominee Brian Poindexter, featured his three daughters in an ad that never mentioned Miller or his scandals. In the one-minute video, the three Poindexter sisters lovingly mock their dad’s dance moves and how he wears his cell phone clipped on his belt, but emphasize how he “always shows up, for family dinners, for our games, to help with homework.” The ad was widely praised for its warm tone and immediately interpreted as providing a clear “contrast” to Miller’s troubles.

Several reporters caught up with Miller Wednesday in the congressional office hallways, peppering him with questions that he largely dodged.

In this clip, Miller is asked if he will sign on to the latest Epstein files discharge petition by Pablo Manríquez, a reporter with the liberal group Meidas Touch.

Manríquez momentarily stumbled over naming the House members backing the petition — Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Nancy Mace (R-SC) — and Miller retorted, “Sounds like you don’t know what you’re talking about — you barely got it out.”

“No, no, it’s true,” Manríquez replied.

Miller then said he was “one of the first” to sign on to Massie’s previous petition and then tried to change the subject, saying he had donated 25% of his salary to technical education scholarships in his district.

“But no one talks about that stuff,” Miller complained, bashing the Epstein files petition as something that “never [has] a chance to make it to the floor.”

TMZ DC’s Charlie Cotton then asked Miller about Poindexter’s ad, which he described as the Democrat’s daughters “saying that he’s for everyone’s daughters, that’s why he wants to be in DC.”

“What do you make of that campaign?” asked Cotton about the ad, and Miller again tried to change the topic to something entirely unrelated.

“That’s not what I’m asking, sir. That’s not what I’m asking,” Cotton insisted, and asked again, “What do you think of his campaign? What do you think of his campaign?”

Miller continued his hallway filibuster, walking swiftly toward the exit.

Cotton commented that this was all “fantastic,” but he was asking questions about Brian Poindexter’s campaign.

“Why aren’t you answering? It’s not a gotcha question,” said Cotton. “Is he fighting an effective campaign or not?”

“I’m not worried about my opponent,” said Miller. “I’m worried about the work that we’re doing for our district. These are all trap questions.”

Cotton and the other reporter objected that these were “not trap questions” and kept trying to ask Miller for answers.

“You guys don’t want to have a serious conversation,” Miller scolded, before dodging again.

“But once again, real things that matter to our district are incredible — thank you for your time!” the congressman said as he exited to the stairwell.

“Thank you for your time, sir!” Cotton called after him.

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