Visitors to the U.S. Capitol can now see a plaque that commemorates the officers who defended the building during the violent siege on January 6, 2021. This installation comes three years after it was mandated by law, marking a significant moment for both the officers involved and the ongoing discourse surrounding that day.
The plaque was placed on the Senate side of the Capitol, near the West Front, where the most intense confrontations took place. In a statement inscribed on the plaque, it reads, “On behalf of a grateful Congress, this plaque honors the extraordinary individuals who bravely protected and defended this symbol of democracy on January 6, 2021. Their heroism will never be forgotten.” The installation was first reported by The Washington Post, with a reporter witnessing the event around 04:00 EST on a Saturday morning.
The recent effort to install the plaque was led by Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. He highlighted his memories of the attack during a speech on the Senate floor, recalling the chaos as rioters breached the Capitol. “We owe them eternal gratitude, and this nation is stronger because of them,” Tillis remarked, referring to the officers who were overwhelmed by the mob.
On that day, supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol, driven by false claims of a stolen election after Trump lost to Joe Biden. The insurrection halted the congressional certification of Biden’s victory, forcing lawmakers to flee and resulting in significant damage to the Capitol. Over 140 officers from various law enforcement agencies were injured during the attack.
The journey to erect the plaque was fraught with delays. In 2022, Congress passed a law detailing the installation of a plaque honoring the officers, which featured a one-year deadline. Despite this, the plaque was not erected, leading to frustration among Democrats and a lawsuit from two officers who were on duty that day.
After more than a year of inaction, House Speaker Mike Johnson faced criticism for the delay. On January 5, 2024, just before the fifth anniversary of the attack, Johnson’s office issued a statement claiming the statute for the plaque was “not implementable.” Amid rising tensions, Tillis passed a resolution with unanimous consent in the Senate to proceed with the installation.
Despite the plaque’s unveiling, some officers remain dissatisfied. Daniel Hodges, one of the officers who filed suit, expressed that while the installation is a positive step, it does not fully comply with the original law. The law specified that the plaque should be placed directly on the West Front of the Capitol, rather than nearby. A separate sign with a QR code now links to a document listing the thousands of officers who responded that day, but Hodges argues this does not fulfill the intent of the law.
“The weight of a judicial ruling would help secure the memorial against future tampering,” Hodges stated, emphasizing that the lawsuit will continue. He and fellow officer Harry Dunn have alleged that Congress is attempting to “rewrite history” by not fully recognizing the officers’ contributions.
The Justice Department has sought to dismiss the case, with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro arguing that the plaque’s approval constitutes public recognition of law enforcement personnel’s service. Yet, for many officers, the emotional toll from the attack and the lack of full acknowledgment from Congress linger.
Following the January 6 attack, over 1,500 individuals faced charges, making it one of the largest federal prosecutions in U.S. history. When Trump returned to office in January 2025, he pardoned all those charged within hours. Officers like Hodges and Dunn, who have openly shared their experiences, continue to face threats and criticism from those loyal to Trump.
New York Representative Adriano Espaillat, the top Democrat on the spending committee overseeing the legislative branch, asserted that “our Capitol Police deserve more.” He criticized the manner of the plaque’s installation, suggesting it was done in a way to minimize visibility and recognition. “Make no mistake: they did this at 4 AM so no one would see, no ceremony, no real recognition,” Espaillat commented on social media.
As debates continue over the recognition of the events of January 6, the newly installed plaque stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made by law enforcement on that fateful day. The path to full acknowledgment of their service remains a contentious issue as the nation reflects on the events that unfolded at the Capitol.
