The official plaque honoring the police who defended democracy on Jan. 6, 2021, is missing from the Capitol, despite being required by law. Its whereabouts are unknown, but 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. The Architect of the Capitol, responsible for the plaque, cannot comment due to federal litigation.
To preserve the nation’s history, around 100 members of Congress have created makeshift replicas of the plaque outside their office doors. These replicas serve as a reminder of the bravery of those who protected democracy on that fateful day.
The absence of the official plaque leaves a void in the Capitol, allowing a culture of forgetting to take hold. Without a formal reminder of the events of Jan. 6, new narratives and revised histories can emerge unchecked.
Despite the efforts of lawmakers to commemorate the day, including the installation of replica plaques, there is no consensus on the significance of Jan. 6 in U.S. history. Memories shift, but the violent legacy of that day lingers, with five people dying and many law enforcement officers injured.
Efforts to have the official plaque displayed have been met with challenges, with the Speaker’s office stating that the statute authorizing the plaque is not implementable. The Justice Department is seeking to dismiss the case, arguing that the plaque would not alleviate the problems faced by law enforcement officers.
Lawmakers emphasize the importance of remembering what happened on Jan. 6 and the need to study it as an essential part of American history. While bipartisan memorial services for Jan. 6 have faded, efforts to uncover the truth of that day continue. Despite challenges, the memory of Jan. 6 lives on through the makeshift plaques displayed in the Capitol halls.
