The Missing Plaque: Remembering the January 6 Capitol Attack
Approaching the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, the official plaque honoring the police who defended democracy that day is missing. The whereabouts of the plaque are unknown, and it is believed to be in storage. House Speaker Mike Johnson has not unveiled the plaque, and the Department of Justice is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit by police officers asking for its display. Members of Congress have taken it upon themselves to honor the police by displaying makeshift replicas of the plaque outside their office doors.
The missing plaque was meant to be a permanent marker near the Capitol's west front, where violent fighting occurred during the riot. Its absence has created a culture of forgetting, allowing new narratives to emerge. The events of January 6, 2021, when supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol, have been subject to revision and differing interpretations. The question remains whether the day will be seen as a pivotal moment in U.S. history or a one-off event.
The riot resulted in five deaths, including that of a Trump supporter, and injuries to over 140 law enforcement officers. More than 1,500 people were charged in connection with the attack, with all charges being pardoned by Trump upon his return to power in 2025. The failure to recognize January 6 has left a gap in memory and reconciliation efforts, unlike other national tragedies that have been commemorated.
Lawmakers approved the plaque in 2022, but its installation has been delayed, leading to a lawsuit by two officers involved in the response to the riot. The Justice Department is seeking to dismiss the case, arguing that Congress has already recognized the service of law enforcement personnel. Lawmakers who have displayed replica plaques emphasize the importance of remembering the events of January 6, 2021, to preserve democracy and honor those who defended it.
As time passes, bipartisan memorial services for January 6 have waned, with Democrats convening a hearing to address ongoing threats to free and fair elections. Republicans under Speaker Johnson have established a committee to uncover the "full truth" of the events of January 6. Despite the lack of a formal plaque, the makeshift replicas displayed by members of Congress serve as a testament to the remembrance of that day and its significance in American history.