LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh has been formally reprimanded by the Legislature’s Executive Board for removing displays in the hallways of the Nebraska State Capitol.
On Wednesday, Jan. 7, Cavanaugh was seen on surveillance footage removing parts of a temporary historical exhibit from the walls.
Gov. Jim Pillen shared the video on his social media, at the time saying, “Celebrating America during our 250th year should be a moment of unity and patriotism, not divisiveness and destructive partisanship. I am disappointed in this shameful and selfish bad example.”
Cavanaugh told 10/11 after the incident senators are prohibited from putting things on the walls and that she “wasn’t aware” the exhibit was being installed or that it had anything to do with the semi-quincentennial.
In its reprimand, which goes into Cavanaugh’s permanent record, the Executive Board called her conduct “unprofessional” and “unbecoming.”
Despite law enforcement declining to issue a citation, the Executive Board said her actions “fall short of the professionalism” that’s expected of a senator.
The Founders Museum display features more than 80 paintings of historical figures, key events in the American Revolution and portraits of those who signed the Declaration of Independence.(1011)
Cavanaugh took to the mic after the announcement was made, saying she stands by her apology for removing the displays, but adding the display is a “narrow ideological version of history.”
She also criticized the Executive Board for failing to notify her or have any formal hearing with a chance for her to respond.
Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, who chairs the Executive Board, spoke directly after, saying he was confused as to why she was not telling the truth.
Hansen said the Board “followed policy to a T” and that multiple members had numerous conversations with Cavanaugh about the reprimand and process.
He also added if staffers or visitors had done the same, they “would have left the Capitol in handcuffs.”
The displays by PragerU have faced intense criticism for producing content that historians and scholars say are inaccurate or misleading.
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