On March 7, 2026, a memorial plaque honoring law enforcement agencies that defended the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021 riot was secretly mounted at one of the west front entrances.
Two employees of the Architect of the Capitol worked through the night to place the plywood-stored plaque using a jack table, completing the installation without ceremony or announcement. Congress mandated this memorial’s placement within a year after passing legislation in March 2022, but it remained uninstalled for three years in basement storage surrounded by maintenance equipment.
Democrats asserted that the Speaker failed to direct the Architect to install the plaque. A House Speaker spokesperson claimed the project was “not implementable,” prompting some members to mount replicas on their office doors. This covert operation has been characterized as part of the Trump administration’s effort to rewrite history.
On January 6, a mob sought to detain the vice president and subvert the ballot count while members of Congress hid for their lives. Police officers risked their safety in the chaos, bringing the nation perilously close to losing democracy. If this administration succeeds in its efforts, future generations may never remember that crisis.
Last summer, two former U.S. Capitol Police officers sued the Architect to compel installation, which is designed for the west front. In January 2026, senators passed a resolution requiring the plaque be displayed on the Senate side until its permanent location could be secured.
The secret installation at approximately 4 a.m., with minimal press coverage and no public announcement, has been criticized as a temporary measure undermining the memorial’s significance. Five people died during January 6 and its aftermath. One was a 42-year-old Capitol Police officer who suffered two strokes and died the next day. More than 140 officers were injured, with four later taking their own lives.
President Donald Trump brought the country to the brink of chaos. He has repeatedly labeled January 6 a “day of love” and continued to claim victory in the election despite court rulings rejecting his claims. On his first day in office, he pardoned 1,600 individuals involved in attempts to overthrow democracy.
On the fifth anniversary of January 6, the Trump administration launched a website claiming that Capitol Police had “turned a peaceful demonstration into chaos.” The Capitol Police were heroes of that crisis, not villains. They deserve more than a temporary memorial installed under secrecy at 4 a.m.
