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Federal agents executed a search warrant at the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center in Union City, Georgia on Wednesday, seizing materials related to the 2020 presidential election. The FBI described the operation as a “court-authorized law enforcement activity” as they sought to collect ballots and other election records.
The search is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to investigate claims of election fraud in the 2020 race, which President Donald Trump has repeatedly and falsely claimed was “rigged.” Trump, who returned to the presidency in 2024 after defeating Joe Biden, has maintained these allegations despite multiple reviews and a hand audit in Georgia confirming Biden’s narrow victory in the state.
According to a law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity, FBI agents were looking to seize computers and ballots they believed were held at the facility as part of an investigation into possible election interference. Fulton County Commissioner Mo Ivory confirmed that federal officials were collecting approximately 700 boxes of ballots from a secure location.
Ivory criticized the search, calling it “an assault on voters” and accusing Trump of “trying to create chaos” to benefit Republicans in the upcoming November midterm elections. She indicated that local officials were considering legal options to challenge the federal action.
In an unusual development, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was expected to visit the search site on Wednesday. Former officials described her presence at a domestic law enforcement operation as unprecedented. Reuters previously reported that Gabbard had formed a group of officials from across the federal government, including the Justice Department, helping to steer Trump’s efforts against his perceived enemies.
The FBI search comes amid a separate legal battle initiated by the Trump administration last month seeking access to Fulton County’s 2020 ballots. In that lawsuit, the administration requested a federal judge to order Fulton County Court Clerk Che Alexander to turn over “physical ballots, stubs and absentee ballot envelopes for the 2020 General Election.”
Alexander has asked for the case to be dismissed, noting that the ballots are sealed under state law and that the administration should instead petition the county Superior Court for an order to unseal them.
Fulton County, which includes Atlanta, is a Democratic-leaning area that supported Biden by a significant margin in 2020. The county has been a focal point in Trump’s efforts to challenge his 2020 defeat. After the election, Trump famously pressured Georgia’s top election official to “find” votes that would overturn the results.
The current Justice Department, led by Trump appointee Pam Bondi, has launched investigations into several Trump critics and filed lawsuits against multiple states demanding voter data. Several judges have dismissed these lawsuits, most recently in Oregon this week, with states arguing they represent unconstitutional infringements on their authority to manage elections.
Earlier this month, Trump asked a Georgia state court for $6.2 million in legal fees he claimed to have spent fighting election interference charges filed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. That case was dismissed after revelations of Willis’ romantic relationship with one of the lawyers she hired for the prosecution.
The department has also attempted to prosecute former FBI Director James Comey and New York State Attorney General Letitia James, both of whom previously led investigations into Trump. These prosecutions have been unsuccessful.
The aggressive approach to investigating the 2020 election comes a week after Trump reiterated his claims about a “rigged election” during remarks in Davos, Switzerland, where he suggested that “people will soon be prosecuted for what they did.”
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9 Comments
As a mining investor, I’m curious to see how this probe could impact the political and regulatory environment for the energy and resources sectors. Transparency is key.
This is a concerning development, regardless of one’s political leanings. I hope the FBI’s investigation is thorough, impartial, and respectful of the democratic process.
Investigating potential election interference is important, but I hope this doesn’t become a partisan witch hunt. The facts should speak for themselves.
Absolutely. Maintaining the independence and credibility of election oversight is critical for democracy.
While I understand the desire to get to the bottom of the 2020 election, I worry this probe could further erode public trust in the integrity of our elections if not handled carefully.
I agree. It’s crucial that the FBI’s actions are seen as fair and nonpartisan, to maintain confidence in the electoral system.
This is a complex issue with a lot of strong opinions on all sides. I’ll be following the coverage closely to understand the facts as they emerge.
Agreed. It’s important to avoid rushing to judgment and let the investigation run its course.
While I have concerns about the 2020 election, I hope this investigation is conducted in a fair and nonpartisan manner. The integrity of our democratic institutions must be protected.