Democratic strategist Mike Nellis on Tuesday called out Republicans during a heated Fox News discussion about Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner (D), who was accused Monday of sexual assault, slamming them for not “policing their own” amid similar allegations.
Nellis appeared on “The Story with Martha MacCallum” after a growing list of Democrats began calling for Platner to exit the race, and made his case after guest host Trace Gallagher played a montage of high-profile Democrats praising Platner prior to his allegations.
Nellis defends Democratic accountability
“I think the last thing we need is another demon, right?” Nellis said Tuesday. “And those clips are difficult to see. It’s hard. I think every Democrat’s going to have to wrestle with how we got here. I will say though, the Republican Party has not been policing their own.”
He continued, “I mean, we could talk about Donald Trump and his long dalliances all day.” President Donald Trump has been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women and is prominently featured in Department of Justice documents related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He was also found liable for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll.
Conservative pushback and interruption
Conservative podcaster and fellow guest Rich Zeoli interrupted Nellis for bringing this up, and even Gallagher urged the Democrat to “stay on topic” despite the difference in how each political party reacts to serious allegations being a relevant point.
“No, but, like, look,” Nellis fired back. “It’s [Republican Ohio] Congressman Max Miller, who was accused of beating his wife just, like, a month and a half ago — and I haven’t heard a single Republican calling for him to resign.”
Max Miller allegations
Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) was accused earlier this year by his wife Emily Moreno, the daughter of GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), of “dangerous physical behavior,” including allegedly throwing a pot of boiling water at her in 2024 while their young daughter was present. Miller has since sued Moreno for defamation amid their ongoing divorce, citing “considerable reputational and financial harm” she caused and denying that he’s “a violent and abusive husband and father.” Miller was also accused of physical abuse in 2021 by an ex-girlfriend.
Zeoli deflects to Platner's Nazi tattoo
Zeoli interrupted Nellis and asked, “What does this have to do with Platner?” The strategist responded by stating, “Both need to go,” referring to Miller and Platner, and that he doesn’t want “any scumbags” from either party in office. Zeoli replied by urging Democrats to have a new rule: “If a guy has a Nazi tattoo, you don’t endorse him.”
This is not Platner’s first scandal: in 2025, a skull-and-crossbones tattoo was discovered on his chest. The former combat veteran has apologized, claiming he was unaware of the historical connotations to Nazis that it carried, and has since had the tattoo covered up.
Nellis continues to press on Republican silence
“I have no problem with that rule, but also that doesn’t justify the fact … that Republicans are refusing ―,” said Nellis before Zeoli cut him off to quip the strategist would “bring up Trump” again to bolster his point. Nellis countered, “I’m not talking about Trump.” He continued, “I’m talking about Max Miller. He was accused of beating his wife a month and a half ago. Where are the Republicans calling for him to drop out?”
