Capitol Plaque Honoring Jan. 6 Officers Installed After 3-Year Delay

The plaque recognizes the heroism of law enforcement who defended the Capitol during the 2021 attack.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Visitors to the U.S. Capitol will now see a plaque honoring the officers who fought and were injured during the Jan. 6, 2021 siege on the building. The plaque was installed three years after Congress passed a law requiring its placement, following delays from Republican leadership. The plaque is located near the site of the worst fighting on Jan. 6 and lists the names of over 140 officers injured that day.

Why it matters

The installation of the plaque is an important recognition of the sacrifices made by law enforcement to defend the Capitol and democracy during the violent attack. However, its delayed placement and ongoing legal challenges highlight the continued political divisions over the events of Jan. 6.

The details

The plaque was quietly installed around 4 a.m. on Saturday, after Senate unanimously voted in January to place it on the Senate side of the Capitol. The original law passed in 2022 required the plaque to be installed within one year, but Republican leadership in the House had delayed its placement. The plaque's wording honors the 'extraordinary individuals who bravely protected and defended this symbol of democracy on January 6, 2021.' Two officers who fought at the Capitol that day have filed a lawsuit arguing the plaque does not fully comply with the original law.

  • Congress passed a law in 2022 requiring the installation of the plaque within one year.
  • The plaque was quietly installed around 4 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2026.

The players

Thom Tillis

A Republican Senator from North Carolina who led the recent effort to install the plaque after commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack on the Senate floor.

Mike Johnson

The Republican Speaker of the House who had previously delayed the installation of the plaque.

Daniel Hodges

A Metropolitan Police Department officer who was crushed and beaten by rioters while trapped in the central west front doors of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Harry Dunn

A former U.S. Capitol Police officer who, along with Hodges, filed a lawsuit arguing the plaque does not fully comply with the original law.

Adriano Espaillat

The top Democratic member of the House spending committee that oversees the legislative branch, who said the Capitol Police 'deserve more' recognition.

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What they’re saying

“We owe them eternal gratitude, and this nation is stronger because of them.”

— Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator (Senate Floor)

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

— Daniel Hodges, Metropolitan Police Department Officer

“Make no mistake: they did this at 4AM so no one would see, no ceremony, no real recognition.”

— Adriano Espaillat, U.S. Representative (X)

What’s next

The lawsuit filed by officers Hodges and Dunn will continue, as they argue the plaque's placement and wording do not fully comply with the original 2022 law.

The takeaway

The delayed installation and ongoing legal challenges over the Jan. 6 officers' memorial plaque reflect the deep political divisions that remain over the events of that day and the continued struggle to properly recognize the sacrifices of law enforcement in defending American democracy.