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In the days before the Ohio deadline for candidates to be replaced, the White House waged a campaign to ensure that alleged abuser Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) stayed in his race for reelection, reportedly effectively telling Republicans to “back off” of criticisms of his candidacy.

Politico reported on Monday, citing three sources, that Donald Trump’s political team told Republicans in Ohio in the past week not to publicly criticize Miller. They reportedly said it would “complicate messaging” if Miller stayed in the race and they would then still have to back him — less concerned, seemingly, about the complications that now arise from their backing of a man accused of abusing his ex-wife and their daughter.

An Ohio Republican involved in the discussions told Politico that the White House “basically told us to back off … and let the voters decide.”

Ohio Republicans had reportedly discussed scheduling a meeting to replace Miller, but the White House advised against it, saying that he wasn’t going to drop out and that they wouldn’t be able to find a replacement.

One White House official even told Politico that Miller’s staying in the race seemed inevitable after the House........

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