ATLANTA (AP) — The FBI on Wednesday searched the election office of a Georgia county that has been central to right-wing conspiracy theories over President Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss, acting just one week after the Republican leader predicted prosecutions over a contest he has baselessly insisted was tainted by widespread fraud.
The search at Fulton County’s main election facility in Union City sought records related to the 2020 election. It appeared to be the most public step by law enforcement to pursue Trump’s claims of a stolen election, grievances rejected time and again by courts and state and federal officials who found no evidence of fraud that would have altered the outcome.
The search unfolds against the backdrop of FBI and Justice Department efforts to investigate perceived political enemies of Trump, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Trump has long targeted Fulton, Georgia’s most populous county and a Democratic stronghold, as a focal point of his claims regarding the 2020 election. His pressure campaign there culminated in a sweeping state indictment accusing him and 18 others of illegally attempting to overturn the vote.
FBI agents secured the area around the large warehouse building that houses the county elections hub and were observed loading boxes into trucks. FBI spokesperson Jenna Sellitto confirmed that the boxes contained ballots and other 2020 election documents, including electronic ballot images and voter rolls.
Trump has continued to assert that the 2020 election was stolen, a claim consistently rejected by judges and his own attorney general. He has particularly focused on Georgia, urging local officials to help “find” enough votes to change the election outcome.
In August 2023, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis obtained an indictment against Trump and 18 others for allegedly trying to illegally overturn the 2020 election results. A related case was dismissed in November due to concerns over the conduct of the prosecutor leading the investigation.
The Justice Department has also been active, recently suing Fulton County officials for access to election documents that were reportedly not produced following a subpoena. This lawsuit highlights ongoing tensions around election transparency and compliance with federal regulations.
The FBI's actions in this politically charged atmosphere have raised serious questions and concerns among local officials regarding the seizure of ballots and the overall integrity of the election process.
The search at Fulton County’s main election facility in Union City sought records related to the 2020 election. It appeared to be the most public step by law enforcement to pursue Trump’s claims of a stolen election, grievances rejected time and again by courts and state and federal officials who found no evidence of fraud that would have altered the outcome.
The search unfolds against the backdrop of FBI and Justice Department efforts to investigate perceived political enemies of Trump, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Trump has long targeted Fulton, Georgia’s most populous county and a Democratic stronghold, as a focal point of his claims regarding the 2020 election. His pressure campaign there culminated in a sweeping state indictment accusing him and 18 others of illegally attempting to overturn the vote.
FBI agents secured the area around the large warehouse building that houses the county elections hub and were observed loading boxes into trucks. FBI spokesperson Jenna Sellitto confirmed that the boxes contained ballots and other 2020 election documents, including electronic ballot images and voter rolls.
Trump has continued to assert that the 2020 election was stolen, a claim consistently rejected by judges and his own attorney general. He has particularly focused on Georgia, urging local officials to help “find” enough votes to change the election outcome.
In August 2023, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis obtained an indictment against Trump and 18 others for allegedly trying to illegally overturn the 2020 election results. A related case was dismissed in November due to concerns over the conduct of the prosecutor leading the investigation.
The Justice Department has also been active, recently suing Fulton County officials for access to election documents that were reportedly not produced following a subpoena. This lawsuit highlights ongoing tensions around election transparency and compliance with federal regulations.
The FBI's actions in this politically charged atmosphere have raised serious questions and concerns among local officials regarding the seizure of ballots and the overall integrity of the election process.
