The Capitol seems to have erased the turmoil of January 6, 2021, from its memory. The scars on the walls have been repaired, the broken windows and doors replaced, and not a single plaque or display commemorates the event. Many Republicans downplay the incident, echoing President-elect Donald Trump’s claim that the chaos of that day was exaggerated and the rioters were victims. It’s as if the insurrection that shook the very foundation of American democracy never took place. As for the honorific plaque that was supposed to stand at the Capitol’s western front, commemorating the officers who sacrificed during the violence, it remains missing, prompting a reflection on the silent heroes whose sacrifice was overlooked.
