The U.S. Senate has voted to install a long-delayed plaque honoring law enforcement officers who protected the Capitol during the January 6, 2021, riot. The move overrides objections from House Speaker Mike Johnson and comes amid renewed debates over the events of that day. Senators from both parties collaborated to ensure the memorial is prominently displayed.
On Thursday, the Senate passed a resolution with little debate to display a plaque commemorating the police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol against the mob that stormed the building on January 6, 2021. The plaque, approved by Congress more than three years ago, was supposed to be installed by 2023 at the West front of the Capitol, where intense clashes occurred. However, it remained missing, leading many House members to hang replicas outside their offices instead.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, partnering with Democrats Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Alex Padilla of California, spearheaded the effort during the fifth anniversary of the siege. Tillis recalled the chaos: "A lot of people said it was a dark day for democracy," he said, describing the thousands of rioters as "thugs" who interrupted the certification of the 2020 election results. Yet, he emphasized the officers' heroism: "We came back and completed our constitutional duty... We owe them eternal gratitude."
The Senate's action appears driven by recent efforts from President Donald Trump's administration to reframe the events. Trump stated in a speech that he only urged a peaceful march, while a new White House report blames Democrats for the election outcome and criticizes police response. Merkley stressed the need for honesty: "It's so important we be honest with the American people about what happened" and recognize those who "defended our democratic republic." Padilla called the White House's new website an "attempt to rewrite history" that "dishonors" the officers, adding, "The Senate bipartisan commitment to real history is strong."
House Speaker Mike Johnson's office contends the plaque, which lists responding law enforcement agencies rather than individual names, does not comply with the law. A digital component is planned to include the thousands of officers' names. The resolution directs the Architect of the Capitol to place it in a publicly accessible spot in the Senate wing temporarily, as permanent installation at the West front requires House approval. Meanwhile, officers have sued for its display, but the Justice Department seeks to dismiss the case.
