House Democrats demand installation of plaque honoring Jan 6 officers

WASHINGTON (TNND) — Several Democratic lawmakers are demanding the installation of a plaque created to honor the police officers involved in the January 6, 2021 riots.

Congress in 2022 passed a law requiring the plaque to be permanently placed at the Capitol by March 2023. Republicans managed to stall that process and have not announced plans to fulfill the plans.

Rep. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y., on Wednesday announced the introduction of a resolution which would direct Capitol Police to install a plaque. He shared a video from the Capitol basement where the plaque is currently “collecting dust.”

“Sadly, Speaker Johnson has chosen not to display [the plaque] despite an agreement to do that,” he said. “It’s a beautiful tribute to the men and women who protected the Capitol during the onslaught.”

Rep. Morelle also announced he had introduced a resolution for Capitol Police to officially install the plaque and called on Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to cooperate.

Also speaking out in favor of the plaque was House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. During remarks on the House floor, he said the plaque is an appropriate way to recognize first responders during Police Week.

"It's time to honor those heroic officers,” he said. “It's unconscionable, it's unpatriotic, it's unfathomable, it's unacceptable and it's un-American. You need to honor those officer and treat them with the dignity and respect that they deserve."

House Judiciary Democrats joined those called for the plaque in a post via X, writing “We know a great way you could commemorate National Police Week, if you actually care about honoring law enforcement.”

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