The physical scars of the January 6th, 2021 insurrection on the United States Capitol are largely gone. Repaired walls, replaced windows, and the absence of any memorial or commemoration create a stark contrast to the violence that unfolded. Within the Capitol, the event is rarely mentioned, with many Republicans downplaying its significance, echoing President-elect Donald Trump’s characterization of it as an overblown event involving victims rather than perpetrators. In many ways, the attack that shook the foundations of American democracy feels as though it never happened.
“It’s been erased,” Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) observed. “Winners write history and Trump won. And his version is that it was a peaceful gathering. Obviously completely untrue.” Welch further warned that a potential pardon of the rioters, as Trump has promised, would serve to “put an exclamation point on his version of what happened.” The gravity of the event is undeniable: among the 1,250 individuals convicted, some called for the deaths of then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Mike Pence, while others carried weapons and ransacked the Capitol in an attempt to halt the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory.
Despite the disruption, Congress resumed its work that evening and completed its constitutional duties. While Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), one of seven Senate Republicans who voted to convict Trump on impeachment charges, described January 6th as “a very, very dark time,” she acknowledged some lawmakers’ desire to “put that behind us.” This desire stems from varied sources; former Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) suggested that many Republicans believe the Justice Department acted disproportionately against some rioters, and that many lawmakers present on that day seek distance from the event. While admitting that “all of us remember it,” Braun argued against erecting memorials, believing they would further emphasize divisions.
Despite a March 2022 law mandating a plaque honoring law enforcement officers who responded to the attack, the plaque remains unplaced. The reasons for this delay remain unclear, with inquiries to relevant authorities yielding no definitive answers. While Democratic and Republican Senate leaders initially approved the plaque, its absence has drawn criticism. Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) in May inquired about the delay but received no response. She voiced concern not only about the lack of the plaque itself but also the broader disregard for the officers’ sacrifices. Representative Joe Morelle (D-NY) similarly linked the absence of the plaque to efforts to deny the event’s significance.
Law enforcement officers who were present that day, such as Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges and former Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell, expressed deep offense and disappointment at the lack of recognition. They highlighted the physical and emotional toll exacted upon them and their colleagues. Gonell poignantly stated that the lack of commemoration feels like “it was all for nothing,” characterizing it as a “betrayal.” He expressed a wish for the plaque to be in place before Trump’s inauguration, so that the President-elect could see the names of those who suffered due to the events of January 6th.
While initial Republican condemnation of the attack was widespread, this has shifted significantly. Republican lawmakers have criticized the January 6th committee’s investigation and some have echoed Trump’s calls for pardons for the rioters. Even among Trump’s allies, however, there is division on this issue. Despite the lack of a physical memorial, some argue that legacies of the attack remain, including heightened security measures and a renewed focus on the peaceful transfer of power. Congress has also updated the Electoral Count Act to prevent future challenges to election results. Despite these changes, concerns remain that the false narrative surrounding January 6th will gain further traction under a Trump presidency. The absence of a tangible commemoration, coupled with attempts to rewrite the historical narrative, underscores the ongoing political divisions surrounding this pivotal event.