A video has emerged showing a Nebraska Democrat lawmaker attacking and gleefully destroying a patriotic exhibit in the state’s Capitol building.
Progressive State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh (D-Omaha) sparked controversy on the opening day of the state’s legislative session after she tore down part of a Capitol display honoring America’s founding.
The actions have been drawing sharp criticism from Republicans and state officials.
Cavanaugh was caught on security footage tearing down posters from the White House-commissioned “Founders Museum,” an exhibit tied to the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
The display included material honoring the signers of the Declaration of Independence and was placed throughout the Nebraska Capitol as part of America250 celebrations.
WATCH:
The exhibit was distributed by PragerU and backed by the White House Task Force 250, with sponsorship from the state’s Semiquincentennial Commission.
Photos shared by state Sen. Brad von Gillern showed Cavanaugh removing the framed posters from Capitol hallways on Wednesday.
The displays were later returned and rehung by mid-afternoon.
Gov. Jim Pillen condemned the incident, saying the exhibit was meant to give Nebraskans an opportunity to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary.
“Celebrating America during our 250th year should be a moment of unity and patriotism, not divisiveness and destructive partisanship,” Pillen said.
“I am disappointed in this shameful and selfish bad example.”
Cavanaugh defended her actions, claiming she removed the frames because Capitol rules prohibit attaching items to hallway walls.
She told local outlets that displays are typically placed near the information desk and said she was simply enforcing the rules.
“I have always been a stickler for the rules … so I removed the prohibited objects,” she said.
An aide in Cavanaugh’s office initially told reporters the portraits were “gone,” but later acknowledged they had been taken to her office.
Cavanaugh said she contacted the Nebraska State Patrol to inform them where the items were located and took care not to damage the artwork.
Legislative Speaker John Arch of La Vista confirmed that Cavanaugh admitted removing the posters but noted that the Semiquincentennial Commission had received proper approval from the Nebraska Capitol Commission to display the exhibit.
The State Patrol said no citation was issued, and there was no apparent damage to the materials.
Capitol security footage released by authorities shows Cavanaugh removing the exhibit.
The incident quickly became a flashpoint at the Capitol, with critics accusing the Democrat lawmaker of politicizing a national anniversary meant to unite Americans around their shared history.
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.