Jan. 6 Plaque Installed at Capitol

A plaque honoring the police officers who defended the United States Capitol during the January 6, 2021, attack has been installed, three years after it was mandated by law. The installation was delayed by House Speaker Mike Johnson but proceeded after Senator Thom Tillis led an effort to place it on the Senate side. The plaque commemorates the officers, including those from the United States — United States Capitol Police and United States — Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, who were injured during the siege by supporters of Donald Trump, who falsely claimed the 2020 election was stolen from Joe Biden. Officers Dan Hodges and Harry Dunn, who were injured, are continuing a lawsuit, arguing the installation does not fully comply with the original statute, which called for officers' names to be listed on the plaque itself and for it to be placed 'on' the West Front. The United States — United States Department of Justice has sought to dismiss their case. Donald Trump, who returned to office in January 2025, pardoned over 1,500 people charged in the attack, further downplaying the violence. Representatives Adriano Espaillat and Joseph Morelle have commented on the installation, with Espaillat criticizing the lack of ceremony.