• Two police officers filed a lawsuit to compel the U.S. Capitol to install a plaque honoring officers from the January 6 attack.
• The lawsuit cites a 2022 law mandating the plaque's installation by March 2023.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson has yet to provide instructions to install the plaque, causing frustration amongst officers and lawmakers.
• The delay has fueled a politically divisive atmosphere and concerns about honoring law enforcement.

Two police officers who defended the Capitol during the January 6, 2021, insurrection filed a federal lawsuit against Congressional leadership, demanding the installation of a plaque that honors the sacrifices made by law enforcement on that day. The legal action states that Congress has failed to comply with a law signed by President Biden in 2022, which mandated that the plaque be erected by March 2023, yet the plaque remains in storage, according to CBS News

The plaintiffs, former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn and D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges, emphasized that while other memorials have been set up for officers killed in various tragedies, the lack of action regarding the January 6 plaque reflects a larger issue of recognition. The lawsuit criticizes House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for failing to instruct the Architect of the Capitol to proceed with the installation, reports HuffPost and Reuters.

The retaliation against the officers’ memoralization comes amidst a backdrop of GOP representatives introducing bills to honor Trump, which Dunn and Hodges interpret as a dereliction of duty to those who defended democracy. The lawsuit highlights a growing rift within Congress regarding the historical narrative surrounding January 6, wherein the officers feel sidelined by both legislative inaction and a cultural rewriting of their roles on that day, as noted by Reuters.

According to attorney Brendan Ballou, the government’s failure to erect the plaque signifies an attempt to alter historical perceptions about January 6. "By refusing to follow the law and honor officers as it is required to do, Congress encourages this rewriting of history," Ballou stated. This notion is further compounded by the high-profile pardons granted by Trump to many involved in the Capitol riot, stirring controversy over the recognition of officer sacrifices, according to CBS News and HuffPost.

Currently, there is no timeline defined for the installation of the plaque, and the lawsuit opens a considerable dialogue about Congress' obligations to honor law enforcement amidst political turmoil. The continued absence of the plaque raises questions about commitment to honoring those who have defended the Capitol and democratic principles on January 6, as reiterated by Reuters.