Visitors to the U.S. Capitol now have a visible reminder of the violent siege that occurred on January 6, 2021, and the officers who fought and were injured that day. A plaque honoring those officers has been installed after a three-year delay, marking the first official memorial of the event within the building.
Installation After Years of Political Delays
Workers quietly installed the plaque on the Senate side of a hallway near the Capitol's West Front, where the worst of the fighting took place. This installation occurred around 4 a.m. EST on Saturday, as first reported by The Washington Post, with no public ceremony. The plaque 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 follows a 2022 law that required the plaque to be erected within one year, but it faced repeated delays. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, had previously stalled the process, citing implementation issues. In January, the Senate voted unanimously to place the plaque on its side of the Capitol after Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, led a resolution to move forward.
Controversy and Legal Challenges
The plaque's installation has not resolved all disputes. Two officers who fought on January 6, Daniel Hodges of the Metropolitan Police Department and former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, filed a lawsuit arguing that Congress is not fully complying with the law. They claim the plaque should be placed directly on the West Front of the Capitol and include officers' names on it, rather than using a QR code linking to a 45-page document.
Hodges, who was trapped and beaten by rioters near where the plaque now stands, called the installation a "fine stopgap" but insisted the lawsuit will continue to ensure proper recognition. The Justice Department has sought to dismiss the case, arguing Congress has already recognized the officers' service.
Political Backdrop and Memories of the Day
The installation comes amid ongoing political tensions. Former President Donald Trump, who returned to office in 2025, has downplayed the violence of January 6, calling it a "day of love" and pardoning over 1,500 people charged in connection with the attack. Many Republicans in Congress have similarly minimized the events, while Democrats have pushed for greater acknowledgment.
Senator Tillis, commemorating the fifth anniversary of the attack, recalled hearing rioters break into the building and praised the officers' bravery. "We owe them eternal gratitude, and this nation is stronger because of them," he said. More than 140 officers from various agencies were injured during the siege, which delayed the certification of President Joe Biden's victory and caused widespread damage.
Reactions from Lawmakers and Officers
Democratic lawmakers have expressed mixed reactions. Representative Adriano Espaillat of New York criticized the early morning installation, posting on social media that it was done secretly to avoid public recognition. Representative Joe Morelle, also from New York, said he was pleased the plaque is "finally in the Capitol" and noted that the record of January 6 is now part of the building's history.
Officers like Hodges and Dunn continue to face criticism and threats from Trump supporters, and they report ongoing psychological struggles from that day. The lawsuit highlights that "both men live with psychic injuries from that day, compounded by their government’s refusal to recognize their service."
The plaque's installation, while a step toward recognition, underscores the deep divisions and unresolved issues surrounding the January 6 attack, as legal and political battles over its commemoration persist.
