Trump accuses Liz Cheney of destroying evidence of debunked '10K soldier' claim

Donald Trump Monday accused former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) of deleting evidence of a long-debunked claim that he offered to provide 10,000 soldiers to defend the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

"Why did American Disaster Liz Cheney ... DELETE & DESTROY most of the evidence, and related items, from the January 6th Committee of Political Thugs and Misfits," Trump wrote in a New Year's Day post on TruthSocial. "THIS ACT OF EXTREME SABOTAGE MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY LAWYERS TO PROPERLY PREPARE FOR, AND PRESENT, A PROPER DEFENSE OF THEIR CLIENT, ME.

The 45th president has lodged this accusation before, and according to The Washington Post, it's been debunked. Twice.

Trump "never requested 10,000 National Guard troops to secure the Capitol that day," the Washington Post reports.

The number was tossed around in "casual conversation that is now regarded by his supporters as a lifeline to excuse his inaction when a mob inspired by his rhetoric invaded the Capitol," the report notes

The Defense Department never considered Trump remarks to be a "direct order," according to the Post.

Trump also targeted former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who he claimed refused his offer of support.

"All of the information on Crazy Nancy Pelosi turning down 10,000 soldiers that I offered to guard the Capitol Building, and beyond, is gone," Trump wrote in his post.

He then wrote: "The ridiculous Deranged Jack Smith case on Immunity, which the most respected legal minds in the Country say I am fully entitled to, is now completely compromised and should be thrown out and terminated, JUST LIKE THE RADICAL LEFT LUNATICS DID TO THE EVIDENCE!"

The accusation echoes one he tossed back in September on NBC News where he said: "I behaved so well. I did such a good job. Nancy Pelosi turned down 10,000 soldiers."

A spokesperson for Pelosi answered this question: “On January 6th, the Speaker, a target of an assassination attempt that day, was no more in charge of Capitol security than Mitch McConnell was. This is a clear attempt to whitewash what happened on January 6th and divert blame."