A plaque commissioned to honor law enforcement for their response during the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol has gone missing from its planned permanent installation site, according to an Associated Press report from January 5, 2026.
Honor Intended, Location Unknown
The plaque was specifically created to commemorate the efforts of police officers who defended the Capitol building during the violent insurrection. While a replica was observed outside the office of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in late December 2025, the official, permanent plaque is nowhere to be found within the Capitol complex as of early January 2026.
This absence raises immediate questions about the final disposition of the memorial item. The plaque's creation was a symbolic gesture, meant to provide a lasting, physical acknowledgment of the law enforcement response to a pivotal and traumatic event in American democratic history.
A Symbolic Void in the Heart of Democracy
The disappearance of such a specific commemorative object from the halls of Congress is unusual. It leaves a symbolic void where a tribute to officers was meant to stand. The incident touches on the broader, often contentious, national dialogue about how to remember and memorialize the events of January 6.
Political observers note that the placement and preservation of such symbols can become entangled in ongoing partisan debates surrounding the interpretation of that day's events. The fact that the plaque is missing, rather than simply not yet installed, adds a layer of mystery to the situation.
Questions of Remembrance and Responsibility
The core facts remain: a plaque was made for a clear purpose, and it is currently unaccounted for in its intended home. This development prompts concerns beyond mere misplacement. It speaks to the challenges of creating a unified historical narrative in a politically divided environment.
As of the report date, there was no official statement from Capitol authorities or congressional leaders explaining the plaque's whereabouts or the status of plans for its installation. The story continues to develop as inquiries into the missing commemorative piece are likely to follow.
