STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — U.S. Rep Max Miller touched on a number of issues during a visit to his district Monday night, one with major significance to Greater Cleveland as he said was trying to lure NASA headquarters to Brook Park. Miller, a Republican from Rocky River, cited the many colleges around the state that are behind the effort, along with elected officials, including a Democrat, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Toledo. “Vice President (JD) Vance is behind it,” Miller said. “This is not a joke. We can land 9,000 employees but we need to get the community excited behind it.” Miller said he believes that “because JD was our senator from Ohio and is the vice president of the United States from Ohio that we can land this puppy and really have great economic revenue and change for our area.” Miller spoke briefly and then answered questions for about an hour in front of a largely supportive crowd at a Strongsville GOP-sponsored event at The Local Bar on Pearl Road. Protestors were seen along Pearl Road and two Strongsville police cars were parked outside the bar while a couple of officers kept an eye on things inside. Among the more than 200 people who showed up was Tina Thomas of Rocky River, who said beforehand that she wanted to hear Miller address the question of due process as it relates to legal immigrants being detained and deported without cause. But the question never came up. He was pressed, however, to elaborate on his views regarding the war in Ukraine. “I truly do believe that Vladamir Putin is a thug who has abducted over 200,000 children to make his next round of soldiers in Russa,” Miller said. “That’s exactly what they’re continuing to do.” Miller said he voted to support Ukraine, and doesn’t take that vote back, but that he finds fault with former President Biden and “the world” for not doing enough to stop Russia from invading Ukraine in the first place. As for Trump, “He is looking at this as a business deal to try to end the killing,” Miller said. “We know that we can’t put boots on the ground in Ukraine. And it doesn’t seem as any other country is going to put boots on the ground.” Miller said he doesn’t want Ukraine to concede “any territory to a thug and a murderer, but if this is the way in the interim, then we can end the killing and maybe put up a DMZ and continue to be prepared for the next oncoming attack.” Miller also supported Trump’s handling of tariffs although he acknowledged it has given pause to some. “But the way he is going about it is, if it isn’t working to his liking, he’s adjusting just like any other smart business owner would do.” A questioner concerned about tariffs on China prompted Miller to encourage business owners who are in a bind to contact his office to seek an exemption. He cited Trump’s recent removal of tariffs on electronics and cellphones. Miller said he is currently working with toolmaker Black & Decker, which is headquartered in Tennessee but employs about 1,000 people in the area. The company has 98% of its manufacturing in the United States, he said, and yet the tariff on a single component made in China will cause big problems for the company. Miller also expressed his support for the Browns proposed move to a news domed stadium Brook Park, improving Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and having Cleveland get out from under its consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice that relates to police reform.