Posted on 01/09/2026 6:10:38 AM PST by Libloather
A Nebraska state senator caught on video removing portraits of America’s Founders from a hallway in the state Capitol is defending her actions.
Democratic State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh was shown on Capitol security footage taking down portraits from an exhibit celebrating the 250th anniversary of America’s founding. The exhibit was provided by conservative nonprofit PragerU and included images of signers of the Declaration of Independence and prominent women in American history, according to Gov. Jim Pillen, who criticized the lawmaker’s actions.
"Celebrating America during our 250th year should be a moment of unity and patriotism, not divisiveness and destructive partisanship," Pillen wrote in a post on X. "I am disappointed in this shameful and selfish bad example."
Cavanaugh told KETV7 Omaha that she removed the portraits because she believed they violated the rules and regulations of the State Capitol and did not believe they had been approved. She cited Rule 4.07, which limits displays to the first-floor rotunda for a one-week period in most cases and prohibits leafleting within the state Capitol or on its grounds.
"I don’t even know what the pictures were. I wasn’t really paying attention as I was taking them down. I just took them down," Cavanaugh said, denying her actions were political. "I will say that I know that the picture that he tweeted is not one of the ones that I took down, because I saw it in a different hallway."
The progressive lawmaker later told the Lincoln Journal Star that she tried not to damage the artwork and contacted the Nebraska State Patrol to let them know where the portraits could be found, according to the Nebraska Examiner.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
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If portraits Cavanaugh removed are federal property, destroying or damaging them can lead to serious federal charges, like vandalism of government property, punishable by significant prison time and fines, especially under laws reinforced by executive orders focused on protecting monuments, making it a potential felony.
The key factors are ownership (federal vs. private) and intent (vandalism/destruction vs. legitimate relocation), as removing art from a federal building without authorization is a crime.
Cavanaugh could have committed a felony (Federal Offense)
Federal Property: If the portraits are in a federal building (like the Capitol, a federal courthouse, or a museum), they are U.S. Government property.
Cavanaugh might be charged with Vandalism Laws: Federal law prohibits the destruction or defacement of government property, with penalties up to 10 years in prison for severe cases, as noted in statements about protecting monuments.
Cavanaugh falls under Executive Orders: Presidential executive orders have reinforced these laws, emphasizing severe penalties for anyone damaging federal monuments or statues.
State/Local Property: If the portraits are in a state capitol, city hall, or local museum, it would fall under state or local laws, which might be misdemeanors or felonies depending on the damage.
Private Property: If the portraits are private property, removal without permission would be theft or trespass.
The action of removing federally owned items without authority is illegal and carries felony-level risks.
Ne. is being run by stupid people.
Ne. is being run by stupid people.
Who stupid people vote for. Garbage in, garbage out.
She didn't know that they were pictures of the country's Founding Fathers? That sounds about right.
BUT:
She didn't "even know what the pictures were...wasn’t really paying attention" as she removed them.
Yeah okay.
You can be sure if the portraits were of “great gay or muslim Americans,” she would have found them entirely appropriate.
They all look alike...
Yeah but I’d still hit it.
At their core Democrats hate America.
Eight boxes of sunset blush box wine plus just a cucumber in the fridge guaranteed.
“I don’t even know what the pictures were. I wasn’t really paying attention as I was taking them down. I just took them down,”
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Sure, Jan
Many people think it’s a little thing.
actually according to some communist subversive instructional material I’ve seen it’s very important. You remove the peoples history, achievements of their old leaders, monuments (sound familiar?) and cultural legends.
make them like lost sheep without guidance, so they will fall for a new system..
Now in her fat faced case I’m not sure if she was acting out of plans or just virtue signaling.
I’m really beginning to wonder about the 19th Amendment.
We need to bring back not only universal voter ID but also an IQ test. Ban those who are milking the system such as those able bodied and under 65 on the system from voting.
She represents a very marginal (D+1) district in Omaha. She was narrowly elected twice (2018, 2022) despite Republicans getting over 50% of the total vote in the *primary* elections.
Get used to the last name. Her liberal Democrat brother (John), is also a member of the Nebraska legislature and will probably be a congressman at this time next year when he wins the open seat which Don Bacon (RINO) is vacating. Bacon sucks ass, but he’s way better than the Democrat who will be replacing him.
The Cavanaughs’ father, John, was the liberal Democrat congressman from the Omaha district for 2 terms (1977-1981).
Demographic shifts, white conservative flight to exurban areas. and burgeoning government expenditures have led to this leftward shift. You probably know more of the specifics regarding Omaha. The fact that this state representative is a second generation leftist indicates how subversives slowly infiltrate cities and counties. Throw in some population changes and a few million dollars of Soros or foundation money and a formerly conservative area flips to the dark side.
“She should be required to pass a lengthy test on the Founding Fathers, and specifically those in the pictures.”
Sadly.... not just her but everyone running for office.... grading to be performed by We The People patriots.
Dang Laz.... using one or two bags.
“I don’t even know what the pictures were. I wasn’t really paying attention as I was taking them down. I just took them down,”
—
She get the liar of the year award.
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