A federal judge has ordered President Trump’s administration and the Architect of the Capitol to respond to an ongoing lawsuit over a plaque honoring police officers who confronted rioters on January 6.
The bronze memorial was quietly hung near the entrance to the Capitol’s West Front at around 4 am on Saturday, with no media outlets present and no official announcement about the installation being made.
Former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn and D.C. police officer Daniel Hodges have argued that the plaque’s placement continues to violate federal law.
They sued the Architect of the Capitol last year, claiming that the agency had failed to meet a deadline to install the sign.
The new court filing was submitted by Brendan Ballou, who represents both officers on Tuesday.
“Hidden from all visitors, the current location is no different than the basement the plaque was kept in for years,” the court filing, which was seen by The Washington Post, read in part.
The bronze sign is not on the public tour route offered through the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, a spokesperson for the center confirmed to The Post.
The new court filing claims that the placement of the bronze sign is the “latest move as part of a years-long effort to keep the plaque, and more generally, the history of January 6, 2021, literally hidden from the public.”
According to Washington-based reporter Scott MacFarlane, the Trump Administration and the AOC have until March 17 to file a response to the new court filing.
Congress passed a bipartisan measure to install the memorial in 2022, setting a yearlong deadline. However, progress stalled under House Republican leadership.
The now-erected sign lists local, state and federal law enforcement agencies that defended the U.S. Capitol from a mob of Trump supporters during the attack. The rioters were attempting to prevent Congress from formalizing then-President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.
One police officer died on January 7, a day after collapsing at the riot and suffering two strokes. Four other officers who served that day have since taken their own lives.
“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 plaque reads. “Their heroism will never be forgotten.”
Anger over the failure to install the plaque spilled over to both sides of the political aisle, with Republican Senator Thom Tillis calling for the sign to be erected on the fifth anniversary of the January 6 insurrection.
“We owe them eternal gratitude, and this nation is stronger because of them,” he told his fellow senators, referring to the officers who defended the Capitol.
Trump has referred to January 6 as a “day of love” and has continued to propagate the idea that he won the 2020 election.
On the first day of his second term, he granted clemency to nearly 1,600 people who were charged in connection with the attack.
The Independent has contacted the White House and the Architect of the Capitol for comment.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you’re in the UK, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
First week of Iran war cost more than $11.3B, Pentagon tells Congress: report
How do mines work? Iran accused of littering Strait of Hormuz with invisible killers
Hegseth’s years-long hatred of Iran resurfaces in book quotes and videos
Controversial ex-Illinois mayor running as Republican in Georgia office after ousting
Energy chief addresses deleted Strait of Hormuz post that sparked chaos
Immigration agents are using Meta’s AI glasses — and critics are alarmed
