Federal Judge Mandates Response in Jan 6 Police Plaque Legal Battle
A federal judge has issued a direct order compelling President Trump's administration and the Architect of the Capitol to formally respond to an ongoing lawsuit regarding a bronze plaque that honours police officers who confronted rioters during the January 6 Capitol attack. The legal action, initiated by former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn and D.C. police officer Daniel Hodges, argues that the plaque's current placement violates federal law and continues a pattern of obscuring the events of that day.
Secretive Installation and Hidden Location
The bronze memorial was installed quietly near the entrance to the Capitol's West Front at approximately 4 am on a Saturday, with no media present and no official announcement made about its placement. According to court documents filed by attorney Brendan Ballou, representing both officers, the plaque's location is "hidden from all visitors" and effectively no different from the basement where it was stored for years. A spokesperson for the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center confirmed that the sign is not included on the public tour route, supporting claims that it remains inaccessible to most visitors.
Legal Claims and Historical Context
The lawsuit alleges that the Architect of the Capitol failed to meet a congressional deadline set in 2022 for installing the memorial, with progress stalling under House Republican leadership. The court filing describes the plaque's placement as part of "a years-long effort to keep the plaque, and more generally, the history of January 6, 2021, literally hidden from the public." The plaque itself bears the inscription: "On behalf of a grateful Congress, this plaque honours the extraordinary individuals who bravely protected and defended this symbol of democracy on January 6, 2021. Their heroism will never be forgotten."
Political Reactions and Broader Implications
Anger over the delayed installation has drawn bipartisan criticism, with Republican Senator Thom Tillis calling for the plaque to be erected on the fifth anniversary of the insurrection, stating, "We owe them eternal gratitude, and this nation is stronger because of them." This contrasts sharply with former President Trump's characterization of January 6 as a "day of love" and his continued promotion of false claims about the 2020 election outcome. Notably, on the first day of his second term, Trump granted clemency to nearly 1,600 individuals charged in connection with the attack.
Human Toll and Memorial Significance
The plaque lists local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies that defended the U.S. Capitol from a mob of Trump supporters attempting to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden's electoral victory. The human cost of that day includes one police officer who died on January 7 after collapsing during the riot and suffering two strokes, along with four other officers who have since died by suicide. The Trump administration and Architect of the Capitol have until March 17 to file their response to the new court filing, as reported by Washington-based journalist Scott MacFarlane.
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