FBI RAIDS Georgia — 700 Ballot Boxes SEIZED

The FBI seized 700 boxes of 2020 ballots from Fulton County, Georgia, in a dramatic raid that has county officials scrambling to explain how they can no longer certify the security of those election records.

Story Highlights

FBI executed sealed warrant on January 28, 2026, removing approximately 700 boxes of 2020 election ballots from Fulton County facilities
County Chairman Robb Pitts declared he can no longer certify the ballots as secure following the federal seizure
High-level Trump officials including DNI Tulsi Gabbard and Deputy FBI Director Andrew Bailey were observed on-site during the operation
The raid stems from DOJ investigation into alleged failures to retain election records as required by federal law
County commissioners filmed the seizure process, expressing alarm over chain-of-custody concerns and procedural irregularities

Federal Agents Execute Sealed Warrant at Elections Hub

FBI agents arrived at Fulton County’s Elections Hub and Operations Center on Campbell Road on the morning of January 28, 2026, armed with a sealed search warrant signed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Catherine Salinas. The operation unfolded in two phases after agents initially arrived at the elections office but redirected to the Clerk of Court due to ballot storage under court seal. By afternoon, agents loaded approximately 700 boxes into trucks while Senator Josh McLaurin captured video evidence of the unprecedented seizure.

County Officials Sound Alarm Over Ballot Security

Chairman Robb Pitts made the stunning declaration that he can no longer certify the security of the seized ballots, a statement that underscores the gravity of federal intervention in local election administration. Commissioner Dana Barrett announced that county staff filmed the entire removal process to maintain chain-of-custody documentation. Commissioners Mo Ivory and Marvin Arrington Sr. challenged the raid’s legality, arguing the FBI lacked authority to seize records stored under judicial seal by Judge Robert McBurney. The visible concern among these officials during press briefings reflected the unprecedented nature of federal agents physically removing years-old election materials.

DOJ Investigation Targets Record Retention Compliance

The seizure connects to an ongoing DOJ lawsuit against Fulton County Clerk Che’ Alexander for allegedly failing to retain 2020 election records as required by federal law, which mandates 22-month preservation for election materials. In December 2025, DOJ official Ed Martin requested unsealing of 148,000 absentee ballots through the department’s weaponization task force. The FBI raid preempted a scheduled February court hearing where the DOJ had sought transfer of these records through civil proceedings. Federal law requires election administrators to preserve ballots and related documents, and failure to comply raises legitimate questions about transparency and adherence to statutory obligations that protect election integrity.

Trump Administration Revives 2020 Election Scrutiny

President Trump recently vowed at Davos to pursue prosecutions related to 2020 election concerns, setting the stage for renewed federal examination of disputed jurisdictions. The presence of high-ranking Trump appointees including DNI Tulsi Gabbard and Deputy FBI Director Andrew Bailey at the Fulton County raid site signals direct administration interest in the investigation. Fulton County became ground zero for 2020 election disputes after Biden’s narrow 11,779-vote Georgia victory, with Trump allies raising questions about ballot handling procedures captured on video. While multiple recounts and audits previously confirmed results, the current investigation focuses on whether county officials properly maintained records as federal law requires, a separate legal question from vote tallies.

The sealed nature of the warrant prevents public examination of the probable cause justifying the seizure, leaving county officials uncertain about where the boxes were taken or the investigation’s specific focus. As of January 29, 2026, FBI officials confirmed only that the action was court-authorized and part of an ongoing investigation. County attorneys are reviewing options for legal challenge, while the DOJ civil lawsuit continues separately. This situation highlights tensions between federal enforcement authority and local election administration, particularly when records remain under state judicial seal. For Americans who witnessed years of dismissal regarding 2020 election concerns, the federal government’s decision to physically seize these ballots represents a significant acknowledgment that questions about record-keeping and compliance warrant serious investigation.