Approaching the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, the official plaque meant to honor the law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol that day is not on public display as required by law. The plaque's whereabouts are not publicly known, although it is believed to be in storage.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, has not formally unveiled the plaque. The Architect of the Capitol, the agency responsible for obtaining and displaying the plaque, cited ongoing federal litigation as a factor. The Trump administration's Department of Justice is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed by police officers requesting the plaque be displayed as intended.

The plaque was created to commemorate the efforts of law enforcement during the January 6th Capitol riot. The legal mandate requiring its display aimed to formally recognize the officers' service and sacrifice during the events of that day. The failure to display the plaque has drawn criticism from some quarters, with concerns raised about honoring the officers who defended the Capitol.

The lawsuit filed by the police officers seeks to compel the Architect of the Capitol to fulfill its legal obligation to display the plaque. The Department of Justice's move to dismiss the lawsuit adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

The Architect of the Capitol has not provided a specific timeline for when the plaque might be displayed, citing the pending litigation. The situation remains unresolved as the fifth anniversary of the January 6th attack approaches.