FBI RAIDS Georgia — 700 Ballot Boxes SEIZED

The FBI seized 700 boxes of 2020 election ballots from Fulton County, Georgia, in a dramatic raid that has Democrats scrambling to explain why they’re so panicked about an investigation into election record-keeping compliance.

Story Snapshot

FBI executed sealed search warrant at Fulton County Elections Hub on January 28, 2026, removing approximately 700 boxes of 2020 ballots and records
County officials publicly expressed alarm over ballot chain-of-custody issues, with Chairman Robb Pitts stating he can “no longer certify ballots secure”
The seizure stems from a DOJ investigation into record retention violations, bypassing a scheduled February court hearing
High-level Trump administration officials including Deputy FBI Director Andrew Bailey and DNI Tulsi Gabbard were present at the scene

Federal Action Catches County Off Guard

FBI agents arrived at Fulton County’s Elections Hub and Operations Center at 5600 Campbellton Fairburn Road on the morning of January 28, 2026, armed with a sealed search warrant. After initially targeting the elections office, agents redirected to the Clerk of Court where the ballots were stored under judicial seal. By afternoon, a second warrant signed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Catherine Salinas authorized the physical removal of approximately 700 boxes containing 2020 election materials. County Commissioner Dana Barrett and others documented the process on video, citing chain-of-custody concerns as trucks loaded with evidence departed the facility.

Legal Battle Over Sealed Records Escalates

The seized ballots had been under court seal since the 2020 election by order of Judge Robert McBurney, creating immediate jurisdictional questions about the FBI’s authority. The DOJ had previously sued Fulton County Clerk Che’ Alexander in late 2025 for failure to produce 2020 election records as required by federal law, which mandates retention for 22 months after elections. In December 2025, Ed Martin from the DOJ’s weaponization task force requested unsealing of 148,000 absentee ballots. The FBI raid preempted a scheduled February court hearing where the DOJ was seeking ordered transfer of these materials through normal legal channels.

County Officials Sound Alarm on Security Breach

During emergency press conferences, Fulton County officials expressed serious concerns about the implications of the federal seizure. Chairman Robb Pitts declared he could no longer certify the ballots as secure, while Commissioners Mo Ivory and Marvin Arrington Sr. characterized the raid as illegal due to the existing court seal. Commissioner Barrett emphasized that county staff filmed the entire removal process to maintain a chain-of-custody record. County attorneys are now reviewing options for legal challenges. The officials acknowledged uncertainty about where the boxes were taken or the specific focus of the federal investigation, as warrant details remain sealed.

Investigation Reignites 2020 Election Scrutiny

Fulton County has been at the center of election integrity debates since Georgia’s narrow 11,779-vote margin in the 2020 presidential race. President Trump famously urged state officials to “find 11,780 votes” during that contentious period. While multiple machine recounts and hand audits confirmed the original results, and even Attorney General Bill Barr found no evidence of widespread fraud, questions about record-keeping compliance have persisted. President Trump referenced these concerns during a January 2026 speech in Davos, vowing prosecutions related to election irregularities. The current DOJ action focuses on federal record retention violations rather than ballot counting disputes from four years ago.

You Can SEE the Panic: WATCH Fulton County, GA Commissioner Announce FBI Seized 700 Boxes of '20 Ballots https://t.co/ZArHd3gHr8

— Rex_Tudor_Coup (@iamgnurr) January 29, 2026

The presence of high-ranking Trump appointees at the raid scene signals the administration’s commitment to thorough investigation of election procedures. The action represents a significant escalation beyond previous civil litigation, employing criminal investigative tools to examine compliance with federal election laws. For Americans who have long questioned the resistance to basic election audits and transparency measures, the visible panic among county officials raises legitimate questions about what a proper federal review might uncover. Whether this investigation vindicates concerns about 2020 irregularities or simply enforces record-keeping standards, it underscores the importance of maintaining election integrity through strict adherence to federal preservation requirements.