Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., has asked the Architect of the Capitol to review whether a controversial painting depicting police officers as pigs should be hung in the Capitol.
The painting, done by a Missouri student, was hung in the Cannon House Building tunnel leading to the Capitol complex by Rep. Lacy Clay, D-Mo. It was taken down three times by Republican lawmakers in an effort to pressure Clay to remove it permanently.
Reichert, a former sheriff, said in his letter that the artwork is in “clear violation” of the official guidelines for the congressional art competition. Reichert explained that he does not wish to “censor individuals’ freedom of speech and expression,” but as a congressman, he has “a responsibility to ensure [established] rules are followed.”
According to the rules and regulations for the art competition, artwork depicting “subjects of contemporary political controversy or a sensationalist or gruesome nature” are not allowed.
“The artwork’s depiction of law enforcement as animals shooting citizens is both sensationalistic and gruesome in nature,” Reichert said.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., had removed the painting — which is an ode to the Ferguson, Mo., protests last week, causing Clay to have an event to rehang it Tuesday. In two separate incidents Tuesday, Republican congressman went and took down the painting and returned it to Clay’s office before he went back and hung it.
