Nebraska Lawmakers Consider Historic Expulsion of Senator Accused of Inappropriate Conduct
On the opening day of Nebraska’s 2026 legislative session, lawmakers were asked Wednesday to consider expelling a fellow senator accused of making a sexually charged remark to a legislative staffer and touching her inappropriately at a party last year.
If lawmakers vote next week to remove Republican Sen. Dan McKeon, 59, it would mark the first time in the state’s history that the officially nonpartisan Nebraska Legislature has expelled one of its own members, The New York Post reported.
The push for expulsion stems from a complaint filed by a legislative staffer who alleged McKeon told her she should “get laid” during an upcoming vacation and later patted her buttocks at a May 29 end-of-session party held at the Lincoln Country Club. The event was attended by state lawmakers, legislative staffers and lobbyists.
The complaint prompted an investigation by an outside law firm hired by the Legislature’s Executive Board. The report, released Wednesday, concluded that while McKeon’s conduct did not rise to the level of sexual harassment or retaliation under state or federal discrimination law, it violated the Legislature’s workplace harassment policy.
The report stated that McKeon has “a reputation for making jokes” and that some of those jokes are “unprofessional and/or inappropriate for the workplace.” It said lawmakers may, at their discretion, censure, reprimand or expel him for his conduct.
According to the report, the staffer, McKeon and another staffer were discussing vacation plans when McKeon allegedly asked whether the woman was “going to Hawaii to get laid.” McKeon later described the remark as a joke, saying he had been referring to receiving a Hawaiian lei. The report noted that the woman was not vacationing in Hawaii, making the comment inconsistent with the discussion.
The staffer also alleged McKeon patted her on the buttocks. McKeon initially denied touching her, the report said, but later stated he may have touched her back, lower back or “even rear end,” though he maintained the contact was not sexual in nature.
Following the complaint, McKeon was instructed on June 2 by Sen. Ben Hansen, chairman of the Legislature’s Executive Board, not to attend social gatherings where staffers would be present. Despite that instruction, McKeon attended another party that same evening where staffers, including the complainant, were present, according to the report.
Nearly a month later, Hansen urged McKeon to accept responsibility for the allegations. McKeon subsequently sent the woman a handwritten note encouraging her to forgive him “because that is what the Bible instructs people to do,” the report said.
In August, McKeon texted another staffer who shared an office with the complainant, stating that the woman “seems to be difficult to work with,” according to the report.
A separate investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol resulted in McKeon being charged with one misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace. He has pleaded not guilty.
McKeon attended Wednesday’s opening session but declined to comment directly on the report. When asked about the allegations and the potential expulsion, he referenced religion, noting that his name, Daniel, means “just” in Hebrew and saying, “We’re all sinners,” when questioned about claims that he frequently made inappropriate jokes.
He said he does not plan to resign, despite calls from Republican leaders, including Gov. Jim Pillen, for him to step down. McKeon said he expects any vote on expulsion to be close.
“It is what it is,” he said. “I’m not going to cry about it or anything.”
The Legislature’s Executive Board is scheduled to hold a hearing Monday on the expulsion resolution. If approved by the committee, the full Legislature could debate the measure as soon as Tuesday. Expulsion would require 33 votes.
Since 2017, when The Associated Press began tracking allegations amid the #MeToo movement, at least 156 state lawmakers in 44 states have been accused of sexual harassment or misconduct.
Donald Trump branded “classless” over behavior towards Queen Camilla…
Donald Trump faced criticism after appearing to position himself in front of Queen Camilla during a formal greeting ceremony at King Charles III’s state visit to the United States.
The four-day diplomatic tour was designed to strengthen ties between the two nations. The visit featured a military review on the South Lawn and an address to Congress by King Charles emphasizing the trans-Atlantic relationship.
What Happened
During the formal greeting ceremony, Trump appeared to step in front of Queen Camilla as she moved to shake hands with invited guests. The interaction, captured on camera and widely shared on social media, disrupted the established sequence of royal protocol where visiting monarchs typically take precedence in formal exchanges.
Critics characterized the action as a breach of diplomatic protocol and discourtesy toward traditional customs governing state ceremonies. The moment reignited discussions about Trump’s past interactions with the Royal Family, which have previously drawn scrutiny for deviations from monarchical protocol.
The Response
Some observers offered a more measured perspective, suggesting that the logistical complexities of high-profile diplomatic events frequently result in minor overlaps in movement during crowded ceremonies. Others viewed the moment as a notable lapse in diplomatic awareness regarding established customs.
The broader state visit maintained its focus on historical unity and shared policy objectives despite the controversy surrounding the brief exchange. Digital media shaped public perception of the diplomatic event, with the visual moment carrying significant weight alongside substantive policy discussions.
Photo Of Trump Family On Election Night Turns Heads After People Spot Small Detail!
Melania Trump was noticeably absent from a widely shared family photo taken at Mar-a-Lago on election night, prompting questions about her role in Donald Trump’s political future.
The photograph showed members of the Trump family gathered to mark the results of the presidential election. The missing figure of Melania Trump from the image quickly drew attention on social media and among political observers.
The Photo and Its Significance
The image captured the Trump family at their Florida residence as election results came in. Her absence from the frame raised questions among observers about her level of involvement in the campaign and her future responsibilities.
Melania Trump has maintained a notably low public profile throughout much of the 2024 election cycle. She made limited campaign appearances compared to spouses of other presidential candidates.
Questions About Her Role
The missing presence sparked broader discussions about the expectations placed on presidential spouses. Historically, First Ladies have been expected to maintain a visible public presence and active schedule.
Her approach differs markedly from traditional models of the role. Some observers have noted her apparent preference for privacy and limited public engagement in recent years.
What Comes Next
As Donald Trump prepares for his second term, questions remain about what capacity Melania Trump will assume in Washington. Her future involvement in official duties remains unclear.
Her choices regarding public life and the First Lady role will likely influence broader conversations about presidential spouses and their autonomy in defining their positions. The coming months will provide clarity on her intentions.
California Dems Pass ‘Stop Nick Shirley’ Bill After He Exposed Massive Fraud…
California’s state Assembly passed legislation Tuesday that would enhance privacy protections for service providers, weeks after an independent journalist’s investigation into alleged welfare and hospice fraud drew scrutiny from state Democrats.
The Assembly voted 57-19 to advance AB2624, sending the measure to the state Senate. Assembly member Mia Bonta, wife of California’s attorney general, sponsored the bill, which expands the state’s Safe At Home program to include workers at immigrant service providers.
What the Bill Does
The legislation allows participants to use substitute addresses designated by the secretary of state, keeping home, work and school addresses out of public records while enabling them to receive mail and legal documents, Bonta said. The bill targets what sponsors describe as online harassment and doxing of immigrant service workers.
“It allows participants to use a substitute address designated by the secretary of state, keeping their home, work and school addresses out of public records, while still allowing them to safely receive mail and legal documents through the state,” Bonta said.
The Timing and Controversy
The bill arrived less than two months after independent journalist Nick Shirley released an investigation into alleged fraud within Minnesota welfare programs, and weeks after he traveled to California to examine claims of fraudulent activity in taxpayer-funded hospice operations. Critics say the legislation targets the messenger rather than addressing the underlying fraud allegations.
Assembly member Carl DeMaio, a Republican, urged colleagues to reject the measure. “Nick Shirley shows up with his camera crew to the Somali Learning Center – or maybe one of the 90 fake hospices operating in a building in Los Angeles that was highlighted by CBS News,” DeMaio said.
“People have a right to go out there and kick the tires and find out what these organizations are doing with our taxpayer funds,” DeMaio added.
Supporters’ Position
Co-sponsor Christopher M. Ward, a Democrat from San Diego, said the state has a responsibility to protect people who face targeting because of their work. Bonta stated that employees at immigrant service providers have been targeted and doxed online.
Reagan-Appointed Judge Resigns So He Can Attack Trump
Senior U.S. District Judge Mark L. Wolf, appointed by President Ronald Reagan four decades ago, has resigned from the federal bench to speak publicly against what he says are threats to judicial independence under the current administration.
Wolf, who took senior status in 2013 after serving on the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, published an essay in The Atlantic on November 9 stating he could no longer remain constrained by judicial ethics rules limiting political commentary. The judge cited the administration’s actions as an “assault on the rule of law,” accusing it of weaponizing the legal system against political opponents.
Why He Resigned
Wolf began his career at the Department of Justice in 1974 following the Watergate scandal, where he was shaped by former Attorney General Edward Levi’s commitment to impartial justice. “Silence, for me, is now intolerable,” Wolf wrote in his departure statement, framing his resignation as a matter of conscience after more than four decades serving the judiciary.
The judge’s seat will not create a new vacancy available for presidential appointment, as it was already filled when he transitioned to senior status.
The White House Response
Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson quickly attacked Wolf’s decision, calling him and similarly minded judges “radical judges” prioritizing personal agendas over neutral legal interpretation. “Judges that want to inject their own personal agenda into the law have no place on the bench,” Jackson said, noting that Wolf’s resignation aligned with her statement that those wanting to engage in politics should first leave the bench.
Jackson pointed to the administration’s more than 20 Supreme Court victories as evidence that its policies withstand legal scrutiny.
The Broader Context
Wolf’s resignation reflects escalating tensions between sections of the judiciary and the executive branch during a politically divided era. The move has drawn contrasting interpretations, with supporters viewing it as principled defense of institutional integrity while critics frame it as judicial activism.
The episode underscores intensifying debate over judicial conduct boundaries and rule of law protections as the nation approaches the 2026 midterm elections.
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