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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)<\/p>\nLINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) \u2014 Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh has been formally reprimanded by the Legislature\u2019s Executive Board for removing displays in the hallways of the Nebraska State Capitol.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Jan. 7, Cavanaugh was seen on surveillance footage removing parts of a temporary historical exhibit from the walls.<\/p>\n
Gov. Jim Pillen shared the video on his social media, at the time saying, \u201cCelebrating 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cavanaugh told 10\/11 after the incident senators are prohibited from putting things on the walls and that she \u201cwasn\u2019t aware\u201d the exhibit was being installed or that it had anything to do with the semi-quincentennial.<\/p>\n
In its reprimand, which goes into Cavanaugh\u2019s permanent record, the Executive Board called her conduct \u201cunprofessional\u201d and \u201cunbecoming.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite law enforcement declining to issue a citation, the Executive Board said her actions \u201cfall short of the professionalism\u201d that\u2019s expected of a senator.<\/p>\n
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)<\/p>\n
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 \u201cnarrow ideological version of history.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also criticized the Executive Board for failing to notify her or have any formal hearing with a chance for her to respond.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Hansen said the Board \u201cfollowed policy to a T\u201d and that multiple members had numerous conversations with Cavanaugh about the reprimand and process.<\/p>\n
He also added if staffers or visitors had done the same, they \u201cwould have left the Capitol in handcuffs.\u201d<\/p>\n
The displays by PragerU have faced intense criticism for producing content that historians and scholars say are inaccurate or misleading.<\/p>\n