Jim Banks urges Max Miller to resign if abuse claims proven

Indiana Republican Sen. Jim Banks said Sunday the abuse allegations against GOP Rep. Max Miller of Ohio are “deeply troubling” and called on Miller to resign if the accusations prove true. Banks, who represents a neighboring state, told CNN’s “State of the Union” that the claims—reported by multiple news outlets—demand accountability regardless of Miller’s political role. The congressman has not publicly responded to the allegations, which surfaced as part of a widening pattern of scrutiny over conduct within Republican ranks.

The accusations stem from reports that Miller, a former Trump White House aide and rising GOP star, allegedly engaged in abusive behavior toward a former girlfriend during their relationship years ago. The woman, who worked on Miller’s 2020 congressional campaign, filed a civil lawsuit in 2021, alleging emotional abuse, coercion, and intimidation. While the case was later dismissed without prejudice, the renewed attention comes amid broader Republican efforts to distance themselves from past controversies before the 2024 election. Miller, a strong Trump ally, is favored to win a House seat this fall.

Banks’ remarks mark one of the few public rebukes from within the GOP, where party leaders have largely avoided commenting on Miller’s situation. The congressman has not been criminally charged and denies wrongdoing, but the allegations have gained traction in local and national media, including reports from The Daily Beast and other outlets. A spokesperson for Miller declined to comment when asked by Axios about Banks’ statement. The Ohio Republican Party has not issued a response either, though the state GOP has faced pressure to address misconduct allegations against its members.

If the allegations are substantiated, the fallout could reshape Miller’s political future. His district, Ohio’s 7th, is solidly Republican, but a resignation or ethics investigation could trigger a special election. Banks’ call for Miller to step down signals growing unease among some conservatives about the party’s image ahead of November. The episode also highlights the tension between protecting party allies and addressing credible claims of misconduct—a balance Republicans have struggled to strike in recent years.