FBI SEIZES 2020 Ballots—Fulton County Raided

The FBI executed a search warrant at Georgia’s Fulton County election office on January 28, 2026, seizing 2020 presidential election materials in what represents an unprecedented federal intervention into state-controlled election records that has Democrats crying foul while conservatives see long-overdue accountability for one of America’s most controversial counties.

Story Highlights

FBI agents removed physical ballots, tabulator tapes, digital records, and voter rolls from the 2020 election at Fulton County’s election facility
The court-authorized search follows months of federal pressure from Attorney General Pam Bondi and a DOJ lawsuit after county officials refused to voluntarily provide records
Fulton County officials denounce the action as politically motivated and plan legal challenges, claiming previously secure ballots are now compromised
This marks the first known federal seizure of 2020 ballots from a major election office since Trump returned to the White House in 2025

Federal Agents Execute Warrant in Fulton County

FBI Evidence Response Team members arrived at the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center in Union City on Wednesday morning with a court-authorized search warrant targeting 2020 election materials. Throughout the day and into nightfall, agents wearing tactical gear methodically loaded trucks with boxes containing physical ballots, tabulator tapes, electronic ballot images, digital data, and complete voter rolls from the 2020 presidential election. The FBI confirmed the action as a “court-authorized law enforcement action” tied to an ongoing investigation into potential criminal offenses related to ballot fraud, though specific details remain sealed.

Years of Controversy Culminate in Federal Action

Fulton County, which encompasses Democratic-leaning Atlanta, became ground zero for 2020 election fraud allegations after Trump narrowly lost Georgia to Biden despite multiple recounts. The county endured thousands of voter challenges and sustained scrutiny from Trump allies, including debunked claims about “suitcases of ballots” promoted by Rudy Giuliani that ultimately cost him $150 million in defamation damages. Following Trump’s 2025 return to office, the Georgia State Election Board—now controlled by a MAGA-aligned majority—subpoenaed 2020 materials in October 2024 and urged DOJ intervention. Attorney General Pam Bondi subsequently demanded records citing “anomalies,” culminating in a December 2025 lawsuit against Fulton County Clerk Ché Alexander after he failed to comply.

County Officials Denounce Federal Overreach

Fulton County Commission Chair Robb Pitts stated the seized ballots were previously “safe” but expressed concern that their security is now compromised following federal removal. Commissioner Mo Ivory characterized the raid as “Donald Trump’s obsession” designed “to sow doubt” about election integrity, announcing the county is assembling a legal team to fight back against what she views as a political attack. The coordinated response from Democratic officials reflects deep alarm that federal authorities are overstepping traditional state sovereignty over elections. These concerns resonate with broader constitutional questions about the appropriate balance of power between federal and state governments in administering elections.

Questions of Accountability Versus Political Revenge

For conservatives frustrated by years of unanswered questions about the 2020 election, this investigation represents legitimate accountability for a county with documented irregularities and hostile resistance to transparency. Fulton County’s history of election administration problems, combined with officials’ refusal to voluntarily provide records despite legal demands, raises reasonable questions about what they might be hiding. Derek Clinger of the State Democracy Research Initiative warned of a “dramatic escalation in Trump administration’s efforts to expand federal control over state-run election infrastructure,” yet the warrant’s court authorization suggests sufficient probable cause convinced a federal judge to approve this extraordinary measure. The investigation remains active as of January 29, 2026, with seized materials now under federal custody pending further analysis.

Democrats alarmed by FBI search of Fulton County election office seeking 2020 records https://t.co/h8OhylPWzl

— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) January 29, 2026

This unprecedented federal action sets a significant precedent that could reshape how election integrity investigations proceed nationwide. While Democrats frame the seizure as dangerous political interference, the refusal of Fulton County officials to comply with lawful federal requests left the Justice Department with limited options to pursue potential criminal violations. The coming months will reveal whether the seized materials contain evidence supporting fraud allegations or vindicate county officials who claim they have nothing to hide, but the legal battle ahead promises to test fundamental questions about election transparency and federal authority.