HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — The Senate has agreed to temporarily install a plaque honoring the police officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
No senators who were still in the chamber on Thursday objected to the resolution, sponsored by North Carolina Republican Thom Tillis and Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley, to hang the plaque in a public area of the Senate. The sign lists the law enforcement agencies that helped protect the Capitol from President Donald Trump’s supporters.
Tillis said in a statement that displaying the plaque, which was required by law to be installed outside the Capitol three years ago, ensures the officers’ actions are properly recognized.
“On January 6, 2021, courageous law enforcement officers from the United States Capitol Police and other agencies risked their lives to defend the United States Capitol and protect Members of Congress and their staff,” Tillis said.
“Their brave actions upheld the rule of law and ensured that our democratic institutions could continue to function as intended.”
Some Republicans have opposed the plaque, and House Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly said Monday it’s “not implementable.” The Department of Justice has also argued in court that the sign isn’t in line with the law since it lists the law enforcement agencies instead of the required officers’ names.
Merkley said the plaque can be hung in the Senate until an agreement is reached with the House, although he called the lack of permanent action on it an insult to law enforcement.
“Congress passed a law requiring the installation of a plaque to honor these heroes, and the failure to permanently display it remains an egregious insult to all those who were injured defending the Capitol, and the five officers who died because of the attack on the Capitol,” he said in a statement. “Today, we took an important step forward to honor their sacrifice, and I thank my colleague, Senator Tillis, for working with me to ensure we will never forget the truth about this attack on our democracy.”
Trump, who urged his supporters on Jan. 6 to protest the certification of the 2020 presidential election results, has described the riot as a peaceful event enflamed by police. A White House webpage has a timeline of the day that includes a section on how Capitol officers were “escalating tensions” by using nonlethal force against the protesters.
In reality, the police were trying to prevent Trump’s supporters from breaking into the Capitol and stopping Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s victory.
Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.
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