"Exact punishment" in April, "not my business" in August: MAGA Mike Johnson's ethics policy
With Ohio's Max Miller facing gun and abuse allegations that threaten the GOP majority, Johnson now says he'll let the Ethics Committee decide.
In April, Mike Johnson promised "exact punishment" for congressional predators. With Ohio's Max Miller facing domestic-abuse allegations, Johnson has settled on "let the process play out."
The comparison is not exact. Johnson's April remarks came after Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales resigned, and Gonzales had admitted an affair with a staffer. But the change in temperature is unmistakable: "exact punishment" became "not my business" when the allegations concerned Miller and threatened the slim majority keeping Johnson in charge.
"I haven't spoken to Max about this in the last few days. Of course, I will," Johnson said in an interview for POLITICO's "The Conversation" with Dasha Burns. "There's all sorts of domestic events going on with 435 members of Congress all the time, it's not my business to get engaged in it."
Pressed on the severity of the claims against Miller — which include holding a gun to the head of his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, and breaking the collarbone of his daughter — Johnson called the allegations "serious" but said he would let an Ethics Committee investigation run its course. Miller denies any wrongdoing and called the claims "politically motivated" Tuesday.
"I think Max is taking them seriously. I think our colleagues are," Johnson said. "But, again, we have to allow this process to play out. It's just begun."
Miller's ex-wife has accused him of violence that included pouring hot water on her and pointing a gun at her; allegations involving their daughter and CSAM are also under review. Miller denies wrongdoing. The Ethics Committee says it is examining possible domestic violence, abuse, and illegal drug use. Naturally, MAGA Mike is going to stick with whatever is in his own best interests.
"Not my business" is an unusual job description for the Speaker of the House.
"There's all sorts of domestic events going on with 435 members of Congress all the time, it's not my business to get engaged in it." ... Well, that is 'interesting'.
And remember there's a senator involved in this as well, who is voting while supporting abuse of his family members.