Controversial Painting to be Removed From Capitol

A high school student's painting that depicts police officers as pigs and evoked a national controversy last week will be taken down after it was officially deemed to violate the House Office Building Commission's rules.

A high school student's painting that depicts police officers as pigs and evoked a national controversy last week will be taken down after it was officially deemed to violate the House Office Building Commission's rules, according to a congressman who objected to the artwork, reports CNN.

Rep. Dave Reichert had sent a letter to the Architect of the Capitol with his concerns about the painting. House Speaker Paul Ryan also took a stand against the art, which hung in a tunnel at the US Capitol, calling it "disgusting."

Friday, Reichert said Ryan's office informed him the painting will be taken down after the federal holiday.

The painting won Democratic Rep. William Lacy Clay's congressional art competition in May and was created by 18-year-old David Pulphus.

Clay, of Missouri, said congressional members have no role in judging the competition, and he called the saga of the painting a "manufactured controversy."

Reichert, a Washington Republican, said the painting violated the rules on artwork at the Capitol. "The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to celebrate the creativity of students in every corner of our country -- and visitors from around the world see their talents on display when they walk through the halls of our Capitol," Reichert said in a statement. "However, with any competition there are rules, and these rules exist for a reason. This painting hung in clear defiance to those rules and was a slap in the face to the countless men and women who put their lives on the line everyday on behalf of our safety and freedom."

Ryan told the congressman that the Architect of the Capitol made the determination, Reichert's office said.

The rules of the art competition state: "Exhibits depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy or a sensationalistic or gruesome nature are not allowed," according to the statement from Reichert.

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