Former President Donald Trump has claimed that the reported deletion of files by the House Jan. 6 committee would have proven his innocence with regard to the 2021 unrest at the U.S. Capitol.

In a startling revelation, Trump has suggested that the recent discovery of deleted files by the Jan. 6 committee would have completely exonerated him from any wrongdoing concerning the Capitol breach.

Trump's assertion follows a Fox News Digital report indicating that the former House Select Committee on Jan. 6, dominated by Democrats, removed 117 encrypted files just before the transition of the chamber's majority control to Republicans, as FOX News reported.

Trump's reaction to the committee's deleted files

Trump expressed his thoughts on the situation through a post on Truth Social, where he labeled the committee as a "scam" aimed at undermining him.

He indicated that the deleted files contained information that not only cleared him of any guilt but also implicated other high-profile figures, including then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whom he held responsible for the security failures on Jan. 6.

He alleged that Pelosi had declined his offer to deploy 10,000 soldiers or National Guard troops prior to the protests, suggesting that her refusal was a critical factor in the events of that day.

This claim has been a consistent part of Trump's narrative, asserting that he had foreseen the potential for unrest and had attempted to fortify Capitol security in advance.

Pelosi's office and Trump's allegations

Pelosi's office has firmly denied these allegations, labeling them as completely fabricated.

The claim that Pelosi had the authority to deploy National Guard troops and her refusal to do so has been a contentious point, with independent fact-checkers and Pelosi's representatives fighting back against Trump's version of events.

The ongoing dispute has escalated with the involvement of the House Administration Committee's Oversight Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Barry Loudermilk.

The subcommittee has embarked on a probe into the security lapses of Jan. 6, as well as the conduct of the former select committee during its investigation into the riot.

Investigation into the deleted files

Loudermilk's investigation has gained momentum, with reports indicating that the previous committee, chaired by Rep. Bennie Thompson, was obliged to hand over all documentation to the new GOP-led panel.

However, discrepancies in the data transfer have raised questions, with claims that the amount of data received was significantly less than promised.

This discrepancy led to the employment of a digital forensics team by Loudermilk's committee, which made a critical discovery: 117 files were deleted and encrypted shortly before they were due to be transferred.

Loudermilk has since been in pursuit of these files, demanding access and answers to ensure transparency and proper archiving of the documents.

Thompson's response and the path forward

Loudermilk's requests have extended beyond the need for the files. He has also sought unedited and unredacted transcripts of testimonies to the former select committee from the White House and the Department of Homeland Security, indicating a broader scope of investigation.

This move underscores a determined effort to uncover the full extent of the committee's actions and the potential implications of the deleted files.

The situation remains fluid, with Trump's allegations, Pelosi's denials, and Loudermilk's investigation painting a complex picture of the events surrounding Jan. 6.

As more information emerges, the focus remains on piecing together the truth behind the Capitol riot and the actions of those in power during that tumultuous period.

Conclusion

• Trump claims files deleted by the Jan. 6 committee would have cleared him of any wrongdoing in the Capitol riot.
• Pelosi's office denies Trump's allegations, with independent fact-checkers supporting their stance.
• The House Administration Committee's Oversight Subcommittee is actively investigating the actions of the former select committee and the circumstances surrounding the deleted files.