Key developments: Paul W. Brown, the FBI’s Atlanta Special Agent in Charge, was reportedly removed after questioning the DOJ’s renewed probe of Fulton County’s 2020 election activity and declining to carry out certain searches, according to MS NOW. The Justice Department later executed a warrant and seized roughly 700 boxes from the Fulton County elections office. Local officials defended the county’s integrity, while experts note the 2020 contest was widely judged secure and legal challenges failed.
Atlanta FBI Agent Reportedly Removed After Questioning DOJ’s Renewed 2020 Election Probe
Georgia general election 2020 ballots are loaded by the FBI onto trucks at the Fulton county election hub on Wednesday, in Union City, Georgia, near Atlanta.Photograph: Mike Stewart/AP(Photograph: Mike Stewart/AP)
The Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Atlanta field office, Paul W. Brown, was reportedly removed from his post after raising objections to the Justice Department’s renewed focus on Fulton County’s role in the 2020 presidential election, according to media reports.
MS NOW reported Friday that Brown expressed skepticism about unproven allegations of voter fraud tied to Fulton County — claims advanced publicly by former President Donald Trump after his 2020 defeat. Citing unnamed sources, MS NOW said Brown declined to carry out certain searches and seizures of records connected to the 2020 contest.
News of Brown’s replacement emerged after the Justice Department executed a search warrant at the Fulton County elections office and removed roughly 700 boxes of records related to the county’s 2020 results. Fulton County voted for Joe Biden in 2020. The Associated Press first reported that Brown was replaced the week before the warrant was served; the FBI did not publicly announce the personnel change and gave no immediate reason for it.
Tulsi Gabbard’s Presence and Local Reaction
Some reports noted that Tulsi Gabbard — described by certain outlets as part of the Trump administration’s national security circle — was seen at the elections office during the raid. Her presence prompted criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who expressed concern about potential partisan involvement in the operation.
Robb Pitts, chair of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, condemned the raid as politically motivated retribution and insisted the county had nothing to hide. “Fulton County elections are fair and lawful, and the outcome of the 2020 election will not change,” Pitts said.
“Fulton County elections are fair and lawful, and the outcome of the 2020 election will not change. Period.”
Context and Credibility
Election security experts and multiple state and federal reviews have repeatedly described the 2020 presidential contest as secure. Dozens of legal challenges brought by allies of Trump to overturn the 2020 results were unsuccessful. Nevertheless, Trump has continued to allege — without evidence accepted by courts — that the 2020 election was rigged.
The Guardian has contacted the FBI for comment. Media reports differ on some details, and several key claims in early coverage are attributed to unnamed sources; readers should note where reporting is provisional.
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