Capitol Plaque Honoring Jan. 6 Officers Finally Installed

The plaque was required by Congress to be displayed by March 2023, but remained in storage until this weekend.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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A plaque honoring the law enforcement officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 was finally installed inside the building early Saturday morning, three years after Congress' own deadline to put it up had passed. The bronze marker was placed on a granite wall near a west front entrance, close to where rioters massed during the attack.

Why it matters

The delayed installation of the plaque has been a point of contention, with Democrats accusing the previous House Speaker of blocking the project. The plaque's placement is seen as an important recognition of the officers' heroism in defending the Capitol during the January 6th insurrection.

The details

Congress ordered the plaque in March 2022 and required it be displayed by mid-March 2023, but it had remained in storage in the Capitol basement until this weekend. The installation was carried out without ceremony, speeches, or media present. The plaque lists nearly two dozen agencies that responded to defend the building from President Trump's supporters.

  • The plaque was ordered by Congress in March 2022.
  • Congress required the plaque to be displayed by mid-March 2023.
  • The plaque was finally installed early on the morning of March 8, 2026.

The players

Mike Johnson

The previous House Speaker, who was accused by Democrats of blocking the installation of the plaque.

Thom Tillis

The Republican Senator who proposed a resolution to place the plaque on the Senate side until it could be installed at its permanent location.

Harry Dunn

A former Capitol Police officer who sued last year to force compliance with the law requiring the plaque's installation.

Daniel Hodges

A Metropolitan Police officer who was crushed by rioters in the heavy doors near where the plaque is now displayed, and who said the plaque is not in full compliance with the original statute.

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What they’re saying

“The weight of a judicial ruling would help secure the memorial against future tampering.”

— Daniel Hodges, Metropolitan Police officer

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow further legal action to ensure the plaque fully complies with the original statute.

The takeaway

The delayed installation of the Capitol plaque honoring the officers who defended the building on January 6th highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding that day's events, and the importance of properly recognizing the heroism of law enforcement in the face of such a serious threat to American democracy.