In a move that has drawn both criticism and support, Nebraska State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh (D-Omaha) recently made headlines by removing a temporary exhibit at the Nebraska State Capitol. The exhibit, which commemorated the nation's 250th anniversary, featured portraits of the signers of the Declaration of Independence among other Revolutionary-era figures. The incident occurred on Wednesday and has stirred a heated debate on the handling of historical displays in government spaces.
Governor Jim Pillen criticized the senator's actions as divisive, stating, "Celebrating America during our 250th year should be a moment of unity and patriotism, not divisiveness and destructive partisanship." Security footage showed Cavanaugh taking down the posters and placing them in her office. They were later rehung in the Capitol.
Cavanaugh defended her actions, explaining that she was following procedural rules which prohibit senators from placing materials in hallways outside their offices. She claimed to be unaware of the exhibit's installation that week or its connection to the semi-quincentennial celebration. "I tried to take them down as gently as I could and not damage any of them, and I stacked them inside my office and I let the State Patrol know that they were there," Cavanaugh stated, according to Trending Politics.
The Nebraska State Patrol confirmed that no citations were issued and that there was no visible damage to the artwork. Legislative Speaker John Arch acknowledged that Cavanaugh had notified him of her intentions beforehand. The Nebraska Semi-quincentennial Commission, which organized the exhibit with support from the White House Task Force 250, had obtained prior approval from the Nebraska Capitol Commission for the display.
The incident has raised questions about the educational use of the exhibit, with some educators and historians describing PragerU, the conservative nonprofit that produced the display, as producing content that can be misleading. PragerU CEO Marissa Streit took to social media to question if the display had been "vandalized."
Cavanaugh framed the controversy as a matter of procedure rather than content. She highlighted that the focus should be on pressing legislative priorities, such as Nebraska's budget shortfall, rather than the use of State Patrol security footage for online posts. Supporters of Pillen and other Republican officials have emphasized the importance of respecting historical displays and maintaining order in government buildings, citing the anniversary as a chance to honor the nation's history.
The senator, a University of Nebraska–Omaha alumna, has been recognized for her public service and community involvement. Despite the controversy, the posters have been restored, and the exhibit is scheduled to remain on display throughout the summer.
The incident underscores the delicate balance that must be maintained when managing public exhibits in government buildings, where procedural rules, historical interpretation, and political perceptions intersect. As the debate continues, it is clear that the presentation of historical content in the Capitol remains a contentious issue.
