Jim Jordan

Rep. Jim Jordan struggled to justify his defense of his Ohio colleague, Rep. Max Miller.

In an appearance on CNN’s “The Arena” with Kasie Hunt Thursday, the Republican congressman attempted to justify his support for colleague, Rep. Max Miller despite credible allegations that he abused his ex-wife and toddler daughter.

It didn’t go well.

“Look, this is a family matter. I know Max is a good man. I was up campaigning for him. I hope he wins re-election. He’s done a good job as a member of Congress, and we should all pray for his family,” Jordan said in a clip shared on X. “These are difficult times that they’re going through. We understand that.These kind of situations always are. But Max is a good member and a colleague, and hopefully he’s gonna win re-election. But ultimately, in the end, that’s up to the voters in his district.”

Asked how Jordan justifies defending Moreno when he previously criticized Graham Platner for similar allegations, Jordan stumbled over his response.

His response?

“Well, I don’t know the context of the question I was asked about Mr. Platner, but my guess is it was about all the ridiculous positions he’s taken,” Jordan said before listing all of Platner’s previous offenses, including the Nazi tattoo.

Miller’s ex-wife, Emily Moreno, is the daughter of U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno. She filed legal papers in May, amid a custody dispute over their 2-year-old daughter, claiming Miller abused her during their marriage.

The files include details of an incident in which she said he threw hot water on her from a skillet he was using to cook eggs. The filing included photos of bruises.

Miller has denied the abuse allegations and sued Moreno and her attorney for defamation. His defamation lawsuit says the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services investigated child abuse claims leveled by Moreno in 2025 and 2026, found the allegations were unsubstantiated.

The legal papers say the agency closed the cases and provided written dismissal notices to Miller.