Uninstalled Plaque for Capitol Heroes Sparks Federal Lawsuit
Law Enforcement Personnel Sue Trump Administration Regarding January 6 Commemorative Plaque
Two brave officers, Harry Dunn and Daniel Hodges, who were on the front lines during the January 6th riots at the Capitol, have taken a firm stand. They've filed a lawsuit asking the courts to force the administration, particularly the Trump administration, to install a long-awaited plaque honoring law enforcement personnel who defended the Capitol during the attack.
Despite the plaque being completed last year, it's been gathering dust, and conservative Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has yet to commit to its installation. A law enacted under President Joe Biden mandated its installation in the U.S. Capitolno later than March 2023.
According to CBS News, these two brave plaintiffs accuse former President Trump of concocting conspiracy theories downplaying the severity of the riots, which have since been parroted by his Republican allies in Congress.
The lawsuit claims that the attack on the Capitol was anything but a day of love, as Trump labeled it, and the protesters should not have been set free as he suggested. Instead, the lawsuit alleges, they should have been charged for their actions.
In addition, the complaint argues that the Trump administration's refusal to install the plaque violates the Equal Protection clause of the U.S. Constitution, and the office of the Architect of the Capitol, responsible for preserving the building and its grounds, failed to take reasonable measures to ensure compliance with the 2022 law.
Attorney Brendan Ballou, a former Justice Department prosecutor now providing legal assistance to the plaintiffs, stated that Congress was legally bound to install this plaque to honor the officers who bravely defended the Capitol and those inside on January 6th. However, he asserted, they have not done so, and they have not done so two years past the legal deadline.
While Congress has installed memorials for other officers who died in different tragedies, it has neglected to install the plaque honoring those who defended the Capitol on January 6th. Simultaneously, members of Congress have managed to honor the man who inspired the violence.
Curiously, the lawsuit points out that ever since Trump's inauguration, bills have been introduced to make his birthday a federal holiday, to rename Dulles International Airport after him, to put his face on the $100 bill (or create a new $250 bill in his honor), and to carve his face into Mount Rushmore.
Democratic legislators have suggested that the delay in installing the plaque is primarily due to Republican leadership's resistance. Rep. Joe Morell (D-NY) stated that the memorial is still sitting in storage because Republican leadership refuses to act. Until they condemn these pardons and honor these officers, Morell adds, their words of support for law enforcement are meaningless.
Sources
- Lawsuit Seeks Installation of Honorary Plaque for Capitol Officers
- Federal Lawsuit Demands Installation of Plaque Honoring Capitol Officers
- Plaintiffs Sue Over Delayed Installation of Plaque Honoring Capitol Officers
Enrichment Data:
Background on the Plaque
The plaque in question is intended to honor the law enforcement personnel who protected the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, attack. A law signed by President Biden in 2022 mandated that this plaque be installed by March 2023[1][2]. Despite being completed and stored since last year, the plaque has not been installed due to political resistance from Republican leaders, who control the administration of the Capitol[1][2].
Political Resistance
The installation of the plaque has been hindered by political divisions. Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have not committed to installing the plaque, despite the legal requirement[1][2]. This reluctance aligns with broader political tensions surrounding the January 6 event, with some politicians downplaying or dismissing the violence that occurred[1].
Federal Lawsuit
In response to the delay, two police officers, Harry Dunn and Daniel Hodges, have filed a federal civil lawsuit seeking a court order to compel the installation of the plaque. They argue that the failure to install the plaque violates the Equal Protection clause of the Constitution and points to the political climate that has prevented its installation[5].
Key Points of the Lawsuit:
- Legal Mandate: The lawsuit cites a 2022 law requiring the installation of the plaque by March 2023[1][2].
- Political Obstruction: The officers contend that Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders have not committed to installing the plaque, despite the legal mandate[1][2].
- Equal Protection Claim: The lawsuit argues that the failure to install the plaque while honoring other figures violates constitutional principles[5].
- The lawsuit filed by officers Harry Dunn and Daniel Hodges accuses former President Trump of politically obstructing the installation of a plaque honoring Capitol law enforcement, which is part of the general news and crime-and-justice sector.
- The pending installation of a plaque for Capitol heroes, despite a mandate under President Joe Biden's policy-and-legislation, has sparked war-and-conflicts within the political arena, as indicated by the resistance from Republican leaders and the federal lawsuit brought forth by the two brave plaintiffs.
