FBI Searches Atlanta-Area Election Office, Takes 2020 Ballots and Records
On January 28, 2026, FBI agents raided the Fulton County election hub near Atlanta and took 2020 ballots and records related to an investigation into the integrity of the election. This was in response to charges of fraud by Trump.
Andrew Collins 29 January 2026
On Wednesday, federal officials searched the main election office in Fulton County, which is near Atlanta. They removed voter rolls, computerized photos, scanner tapes, and votes from the 2020 election. This looks like the most visible federal response to long-standing accusations of difficulties with Georgia's 2020 presidential vote.
The FBI stated it was doing something that had been permitted by a judge at the Union City election hub, which is a big deal in the state's most populous, Democratic-leaning county. While agents kept the area safe, trucks were filled with boxes of votes. A week after President Trump announced in public that there will be prosecutions over the 2020 election, which he has frequently and wrongly claimed was stolen through extensive fraud, the hunt began.
People in the state and county were worried about the seizures. Robb Pitts, who is in charge of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, said that officials hadn't stated why the items were seized or where they were headed. Democratic leaders were anxious that the move could scare off election workers and muck up business as usual. "We don't know why they took them or where they are going with them."
— Robb Pitts, Head of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners
The warrant called for certain 2020 election papers, like ballots, tabulator tapes from scanners, electronic ballot images, and voter lists. These are all relevant to Trump's claims that the Georgia election results were wrong and to right-wing conspiracy theories.
The search is going on while the federal and state administrations are still investigating into the 2020 elections in Fulton County. For instance, a state charge against Trump and 18 other people for allegedly trying to manipulate the results has been dismissed. In November 2025, that case was dropped since it seemed like something was incorrect.
FBI officials loading ballots for the 2020 election into trucks at a Fulton County facility. Andrew Bailey, the FBI's co-deputy director, and Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, were both there. This illustrates how crucial the operation was to people in charge.
The Search in Fulton County's Past
Since 2020, Fulton County has been a big component of Trump's claims of election fraud, even though courts, state audits, and investigations have repeatedly found no proof of fraud that would change the outcome. The county's electoral hub has previously been the subject of state probes and subpoenas.
The Justice Department filed a separate civil case against the Fulton County clerk last month under the Civil Rights Act. They said that the clerk didn't follow through on a previous request to see information from 2020. That case is still going on.
Effects & Reactions on a Larger Scale
Democratic leaders were apprehensive about when and how big the search was because they felt it may frighten off election workers and be regarded as politically motivated. For a long time, Republicans have wanted the 2020 processes in Fulton County to be more open.
FBI search at the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center: Important Information About the Search
The main goal of the operation was to find the main materials from the 2020 election that numerous probes have asked for. The FBI hasn't arrested anyone yet, and they haven't released much information to the public because the case is still open.
The court approved a search warrant that was carried out on January 28, 2026. The items taken were 2020 ballots, tabulator tapes, ballot images, and voter records. Location: Fulton County Election Hub in Union City, Georgia, which is close to Atlanta. The FBI says the activity happened, but only a few specifics have been made public.
The FBI made some substantial changes to its staff in Atlanta, and now the federal government is once again interested in things related to the 2020 election.
What Will Happen Next
The seized goods will be examined at as part of the ongoing federal inquiry. There is no scheduled deadline for more news or public release of the findings.
The action makes us think about what the federal investigations into elections in Georgia will be like and where they will go, especially because the county has been in a lot of legal trouble in the past.
This search is a significant and public move by the federal government to look into the long-running 2020 election problems in Fulton County. It might change how people trust the government, how elections are run, and continuing political arguments.
State and municipal officials are still keeping a tight eye on the issue as further information comes to light.
"We don't know why they took them or where they are going with them.
— Robb Pitts, the head of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners
The warrant called for certain 2020 election papers, like ballots, tabulator tapes from scanners, electronic ballot images, and voter lists. These are all relevant to Trump's claims that the Georgia election results were wrong and to right-wing conspiracy theories.
FBI Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey and Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, were both there. This illustrates how crucial the operation was to people in charge.
The Search in Fulton County's Past
Since 2020, Fulton County has been a big component of Trump's claims of election fraud, even though courts, state audits, and investigations have repeatedly found no proof of fraud that would change the outcome. The county's electoral hub has previously been the subject of state probes and subpoenas.
The Justice Department filed a separate civil case against the Fulton County clerk last month under the Civil Rights Act. They said that the clerk didn't follow through on a previous request to see information from 2020. That case is still going on.
Effects & Reactions on a Larger Scale
Democratic leaders were apprehensive about when and how big the search was because they felt it may frighten off election workers and be regarded as politically motivated. For a long time, Republicans have wanted the 2020 processes in Fulton County to be more open.
Important Information About the Search
The main goal of the operation was to find the main materials from the 2020 election that numerous probes have asked for. The FBI hasn't arrested anyone yet, and they haven't released much information to the public because the case is still open.
✓ The court approved a search warrant that was carried out on January 28, 2026
✓ The items taken were 2020 ballots, tabulator tapes, ballot images, and voter records
✓ Location: Fulton County Election Hub in Union City, Georgia, which is close to Atlanta
✓ The FBI says the activity happened, but only a few specifics have been made public
The FBI made some substantial changes to its staff in Atlanta, and now the federal government is once again interested in things related to the 2020 election.
What Will Happen Next
The seized goods will be examined at as part of the ongoing federal inquiry. There is no scheduled deadline for more news or public release of the findings.
The action makes us think about what the federal investigations into elections in Georgia will be like and where they will go, especially because the county has been in a lot of legal trouble in the past.
We don't know why they took them or where they are headed with them.— Robb Pitts, the head of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners
This search is a significant and public move by the federal government to look into the long-running 2020 election problems in Fulton County. It might change how people trust the government, how elections are run, and continuing political arguments.
State and municipal officials are still keeping a tight eye on the issue as further information comes to light.
