The issue surrounding the installation of a plaque honoring the heroes and victims of the January 6th Capitol riot has once again come to the forefront, with President-elect Donald Trump set to take office on the west front of the Capitol on Monday. Despite a 2022 law mandating the placement of the plaque by March 2023, Republican House leaders, who are closely aligned with Trump, have yet to fulfill this requirement.
The delay in erecting the plaque has sparked frustration among House Democrats, with nearly 60 of them sending a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson requesting an update on the timeline for installing the plaque. Among those advocating for the plaque is Rep. Jason Crow, who was among those trapped in the House Chamber during the siege. The letter emphasizes the debt of gratitude owed to the brave officers who defended the Capitol and allowed members of Congress to seek safety.
In addition to Rep. Crow, other signatories of the letter include former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, members of the House Jan. 6 select committee, and other Democrats who were in close proximity to the violent mob that stormed the Capitol. The letter highlights the importance of honoring the sacrifices made by the officers who risked their lives to protect those within the Capitol complex.
Despite repeated inquiries from Democrats, Speaker Johnson’s office has remained silent on the issue, refusing to provide updates or a timeline for the installation of the plaque. This lack of transparency has only added to the frustration and disappointment felt by those advocating for the plaque’s placement.
The letter from House Democrats references testimony from a House administrator confirming that the plaque is complete and ready for installation, but that its placement is contingent on action from Speaker Johnson. This further underscores the lack of progress on the part of House Republican leaders in fulfilling their obligations under the law.
The Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, resulted in more than 140 police officers being injured, with several others tragically taking their own lives in the aftermath of the attack. The emotional and physical toll of that day continues to reverberate within the Capitol community, with many still grappling with the trauma and aftermath of the violent events.
Critics have accused Republicans of downplaying or ignoring the severity of the January 6th attack, with some suggesting that Speaker Johnson’s inaction on the plaque installation is a reflection of this denialism. Former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, who ran for a U.S. House seat in Maryland last year as a Democrat, expressed frustration with the lack of progress on the plaque issue, accusing Speaker Johnson of obstructing efforts to honor the heroes and victims of the riot.
The failure to install the plaque has also drawn scrutiny from members of the House Jan. 6 select committee, including Rep. Zoe Lofgren, who has repeatedly pressed Speaker Johnson for answers on the delay. Lofgren’s efforts to seek transparency on the issue have been met with silence and deflection, further highlighting the lack of accountability on the part of House Republican leaders.
Rep. Joe Morelle, the ranking member of the Committee on House Administration, emphasized the importance of honoring the sacrifices made on January 6th and criticized the refusal to display the plaque as part of a broader pattern of denialism within the Republican Party. The ongoing delays in installing the plaque underscore the challenges of addressing the legacy of the Capitol riot and the need to acknowledge the sacrifices made by those who defended the seat of American democracy.
As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, the unresolved issue of the plaque honoring the heroes and victims of the January 6th attack serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing divisions and controversies surrounding that fateful day. The failure to fulfill the mandate set forth in the 2022 law reflects a broader refusal to confront the realities of the Capitol riot and the impact it had on those who were present that day.
In the face of continued obstruction and silence from House Republican leaders, House Democrats remain steadfast in their commitment to ensuring that the sacrifices made on January 6th are not forgotten. The plaque honoring the heroes and victims of the Capitol riot serves as a symbol of remembrance and gratitude for the bravery and resilience shown by those who defended the Capitol on that fateful day.
