JUST IN: Democrat Politician Caught Destroying Patriotic Exhibit On Tape

In full view of the public on the opening day of Nebraska’s legislative session, progressive state Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha tore down and later returned part of a Nebraska Capitol display tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary, sparking backlash from Republicans and state officials.

Cavanaugh removed posters from the White House-commissioned “Founders Museum,” including an exhibit honoring the signers of the Declaration of Independence, that had been hung throughout the Capitol as part of America250 celebrations. The display was distributed by conservative nonprofit PragerU and backed by the White House Task Force 250.

Gov. Jim Pillen said the purpose of hosting the exhibit, sponsored by the state’s Semi quincentennial Commission, was to let Nebraska “celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary.”

Photos shared by state Sen. Brad von Gillern showed Cavanaugh pulling the frames from the walls Wednesday. The posters were back up by about 3 p.m.

🚨 BREAKING: Outrage erupts after Democrat State Senator VANDALIZES, RIPS DOWN the Declaration of Independence signers exhibit at the Nebraska Capitol for America250

Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh must be EXPELLED immediately!

She is now on video ripping down not only the Declaration… https://t.co/v5AGFixxMD pic.twitter.com/MsPTcZ7thi

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 8, 2026

Cavanaugh defended her actions, telling the Examiner she removed the frames because “we are not allowed to adhere anything to walls in the hallway of the Capitol.” She said displays are typically placed near the information desk, not along Capitol hallways.

“I have always been a stickler for the rules … so I removed the prohibited objects,” Cavanaugh said.

An aide in Cavanaugh’s office initially said the removed portraits were “gone,” but later acknowledged they were in her office. Cavanaugh said someone would retrieve them. She also told the Lincoln Journal Star that she took care not to damage the artwork and contacted the Nebraska State Patrol to let them know where the pieces were located.

Legislative Speaker John Arch of La Vista confirmed Cavanaugh told him she removed the posters. Arch said the Semi quincentennial Commission had received 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 artwork. The posters were returned to the Capitol Commission and rehung.

Pillen referred reporters to a social media post that included Capitol security footage released by the State Patrol showing Cavanaugh removing the exhibit.

“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.”

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