The New York Times reports that Tulsi Gabbard met with FBI agents after a raid on the Fulton County elections office and called President Trump, who later returned the call and spoke to agents on speakerphone, praising them. Critics say the seizure of election materials was unnecessary and raise concerns about politicizing law enforcement. NBC and other observers noted the unusual involvement of a senior figure in a domestic operation. If confirmed, the president's direct contact with frontline agents intensifies scrutiny over the Justice Department and FBI's independence.
NYT: Trump Called and Thanked FBI Agents After Fulton County Raid, Raising Alarm
New reporting from The New York Times says President Donald Trump spoke by phone with FBI agents who had just executed a search warrant at the Fulton County elections office — a development that critics say further blurs the line between law enforcement and political interest.
According to the Times, Tulsi Gabbard — the former congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate — met in person with FBI agents after the raid near Atlanta and used her cellphone to call Mr. Trump from that meeting. The president did not pick up immediately but returned the call shortly afterward, the paper reported. Mr. Trump then spoke to agents on speakerphone, asked questions about the operation, and praised and thanked them for their work, according to multiple people familiar with the exchange.
Why the Call Matters
The reported call has stirred criticism because it links the president directly to frontline agents working on an investigation in which he has a clear personal stake. The Times quoted sources who described the conversation as brief and resembling "a pep rally or a coach giving an encouraging halftime speech to his players." The report also noted the unusual chain of contact: instead of routing concerns through senior Justice Department or FBI leaders, the president reportedly addressed the agents directly.
The Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center on Jan. 28, 2026, in Union City, GA.(Mike Stewart / AP Photo)
Legal and Institutional Concerns
Critics argue there was no clear federal need to seize election materials from the Fulton County office — items they say had already been examined — and warn against the FBI or Justice Department being used to advance politically charged theories. NBC News observed that it is highly unusual for a senior national-security figure to accompany a domestic law-enforcement operation; the role of senior intelligence officials typically focuses on foreign threats, and limits exist on direct participation in domestic enforcement activities.
Deputy Attorney General Responded On Air
On CNN's "State of the Union," host Dana Bash asked Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche whether Mr. Trump had been involved. Blanche, who previously represented Mr. Trump, said, "I don't believe he was involved." The Times reporting, if accurate, suggests a different picture.
It is important to note that the Times' account — cited here — is based on unnamed sources and has not been independently verified in this article. Still, if confirmed, the president's direct contact with agents at the scene would mark an unusually personal intervention in an investigation with significant political implications.
This article will be updated as additional information becomes available.
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