Capitol Police Officers Challenge Placement of Jan. 6 Commemorative Plaque
Two police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, are pushing forward with their lawsuit regarding a recently installed plaque that commemorates their actions, asserting it is situated "in an area blocked to the public," according to their latest court documents.
The officers, former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn and Washington Police Officer Daniel Hodges, filed a motion on Tuesday arguing that the placement of the plaque contravenes the law's intent. They contend that the decision to install it in a concealed part of the Capitol does not align with the legislative text.
Last year, Dunn and Hodges initiated legal action against the Architect of the Capitol, citing delays in fulfilling a 2022 law that mandated a plaque honoring law enforcement who safeguarded the Capitol from rioters supporting then-President Donald Trump. The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the Capitol building and its grounds.
In their recent filing, the officers’ attorney, Brendan Ballou, emphasized that the installation's location undermines both the letter and spirit of the law, which aims to "honor" those officers. "Honor is a social — that is, public — recognition," Ballou stated. "Hidden from all visitors, the current location is no different than the basement where the plaque was stored for years."
Ballou further highlighted that the legislation explicitly required the plaque to be displayed permanently on the "western front" of the Capitol's exterior.
Requests for comments from both the Architect of the Capitol and the Justice Department have been made but remain unanswered.
House Speaker Mike Johnson's office has contended that implementing the law is "not feasible," citing discrepancies in language regarding whether individual officer names should appear on the plaque. Instead, the installed plaque lists law enforcement agencies. Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, previously supported efforts to contest the 2020 election results.
In January, a unanimous Senate vote mandated that the plaque be displayed prominently in a publicly accessible area within the Senate wing of the Capitol.
On Saturday, staff from the Architect of the Capitol's office installed a plaque that reads, "On behalf of a grateful Congress, this plaque honors the extraordinary individuals who bravely protected and defended this symbol of democracy on January 6, 2021." The inscription concludes with a pledge that "their heroism will never be forgotten."
