A heated exchange unfolded in the House of Representatives as Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) confronted Rep. George Santos (R-NY) during a debate on Santos’s expulsion from the House. The dispute escalated with Miller labeling Santos as “a crook” and accusing him of alleged theft.
Miller, who eventually voted in favor of the resolution to expel Santos, explained his support on the House floor by claiming that he had been a victim of Santos’s actions. He accused Santos of defrauding members of Congress through public donations, leading to an ethics complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Miller alleged that he had to spend tens of thousands of dollars on legal fees to defend himself against the accusations.
During his speech, Miller directed his ire at Santos, stating, “You, sir, are a crook!” in a pointed manner.
Santos attempted to have Miller’s remarks stricken from the record, but his effort proved unsuccessful. In response, Santos fired back at Miller, referencing allegations made by an ex-girlfriend and accusing Miller of being a woman-beater.
The exchange further highlighted the contentious nature of the debate surrounding Santos’s expulsion. Miller had previously sent a letter to colleagues detailing his accusations against Santos, including charges related to illegal contributions made to Miller’s personal credit card and his mother’s card. These charges resulted in legal issues and substantial legal fees.
In addition to the allegations of financial impropriety, Miller also brought up Santos’s past claims of being Jewish, despite being Catholic. Miller, who is Jewish himself, questioned the authenticity of Santos’s statements about his religious identity.
Santos’s counteraccusation against Miller, referencing allegations of abuse made by his ex-girlfriend and fellow Trump staffer Stephanie Grisham, further fueled the heated exchange. Grisham accused Miller of physically abusing her in her book and in a Washington Post op-ed.
The intense exchange underscored the division and discord within the House of Representatives during the debate over Santos’s expulsion.