The FBI conducted a search warrant operation at the Fulton County Elections Office yesterday, delving into records related to the 2020 election as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of voter fraud. While the Justice Department has sued Fulton County officials for access to these records, and a judge has yet to make a ruling, FBI agents have started collecting approximately 700 boxes of ballots, as reported by CNN.
Fulton County Commissioner Mo Ivory was cited by CNN, remarking that the FBI was actively "collecting 700 boxes of ballots right now." Meanwhile, trucks were seen being loaded with boxes at the scene. FBI agents indicated that the materials would be transported to the FBI Central Records Complex in Virginia. Amid these actions, officials like Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts expressed concerns about the security of the ballots, stating, “All I know is that as long as those boxes have been in control of the county in this facility that they were safe and they were secure.”
Georgia election authorities have recently been grappling with procedural lapses from the 2020 vote, admitting to 130 unsigned tabulator tapes covering a substantial number of early votes. Despite Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's defense, asserting that a clerical mistake doesn't negate lawful votes, tensions are running high as the FBI raid comes on the heels of these admissions, as noted by FOX 5 Atlanta. Raffensperger has emphasized the credibility of the election process, noting the multiple audits that upholding the accuracy of vote counts.
Amidst this backdrop, Georgia's political figures are voicing their concerns. State Senator Josh McLaurin expressed to FOX 5 Atlanta that Georgia is suffering from "Donald Trump's narcissism… because he's still mad he lost the 2020 election." Moreover, officials like Salleigh Grubbs, a member of the Georgia State Election Board, openly support the FBI's action, with the statement, "the people deserve answers."
As for the Democratic response, Democratic Party of Georgia Chair Charlie Bailey decried the president's use of federal resources to perpetuate "his baseless, dangerous lies about winning the 2020 election," according to a statement obtained by CNN. Former Republican lieutenant governor of Georgia and current Democratic gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan described these latest developments as "just another disgusting attempt by Donald Trump and his administration to try and rewrite history."
