1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

The January 6 memorial plaque honoring the brave Capitol police officers who defended our democracy that day must be installed without further delay. It is appalling that over two years after the legal deadline, this commemorative tribute remains unplaced due to Republican obstructionism at the behest of Donald Trump. Erasing this horrific attack on our nation's capitol from history is an affront to the officers injured and killed, as well as every American committed to safeguarding our electoral process. Installing the plaque is a simple yet profound act of respect for those who risked their lives upholding their oath. The law requires this memorial, public support demands it, and our shared values as a nation make its absence unconscionable. The reason for the Republican blockade is clear - Trump's self-serving attempt to whitewash his culpability in inciting the violence of that day. But we cannot allow criminal contempt for democracy to prevail over honoring heroic service. The plaque must go up immediately as a powerful rebuke of the "Big Lie" and all efforts to denigrate the 2020 election results through misinformation. Complying with the statute is the constitutional obligation of the House.