Federal agents executed a search warrant at the Fulton County elections office near Atlanta seeking records related to the 2020 presidential election, possible evidence of voter fraud, and potential violations of a federal record-retention law. County officials reported the FBI removed what they described as "pallets of ballots." The action follows pressure from Donald Trump and the appointment of Kurt Olsen to probe the 2020 contest, plus a recent Justice Department lawsuit seeking election records. Critics, including Sen. Adam Schiff, warn the moves risk federal interference in local election administration and could have lasting political consequences.
FBI Search In Fulton County Escalates Debate Over Trump’s 2020 Election Claims
Federal agents executed a search warrant Wednesday at the Fulton County elections office near Atlanta, intensifying scrutiny around claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. The probe—reported and verified by MS NOW—seeks records related to the 2020 vote and possible evidence of voter fraud, as well as potential violations of a federal statute requiring the preservation of presidential-election records for 22 months.
What Officials Say
Fulton County spokeswoman Jessica Corbitt confirmed the warrant sought a range of documents tied to the 2020 election. A copy of the warrant obtained by MS NOW indicates investigators are looking for evidence of fraud and potential record-retention violations. Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett and another county source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said FBI agents removed what they described as "pallets of ballots."
"The warrant sought a number of records related to 2020 elections," Jessica Corbitt said.
Context And Concerns
The search comes after months of renewed pressure from former President Donald Trump and his allies to revisit the 2020 results. In October, attorney Kurt Olsen—known for promoting election-related conspiracy theories—was brought into the administration as a special government employee to examine the 2020 contest. The Washington Post later reported that Trump had been urging the Justice Department to re-examine ballots and find fraud in the five-year-old race.
An FBI press office person approaches the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center on Jan. 28, 2026 in Union City, GA.(Arvin Temka / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
About a month earlier, the Justice Department under the Trump administration filed a lawsuit against Georgia’s largest county seeking records connected to the 2020 vote. Critics say these moves amount to federal interference in local election administration, especially with midterm contests on the horizon.
Why It Matters
Supporters of the search argue it is a legitimate law-enforcement action to ensure election integrity and compliance with federal retention laws. Opponents counter that the evidence supporting widespread fraud has been thoroughly examined and discredited, and they warn that federal involvement risks politicizing election administration and could have lasting consequences for public trust in elections.
As Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California warned, the series of actions by federal officials could be perceived as an intervention in local election affairs ahead of the midterms, heightening partisan tensions and legal battles over how elections are administered and reviewed.
Bottom line: The Fulton County search represents a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute over the 2020 election. Observers and officials will be watching closely for what documents or evidence investigators uncover and how the inquiry influences both legal and political dynamics in the weeks ahead.
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