On January 28, 2026, the FBI executed a search warrant at the Fulton County Election Hub and Operations Center in Union City, Georgia, seizing hundreds of boxes of ballots, tabulator tapes, ballot images, and voter rolls related to the 2020 presidential election. Fulton County officials have since filed a court motion seeking the return of these materials, citing concerns over electoral independence and chain-of-custody issues. Washington Post

The presence of U.S. Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard at the scene raised immediate concern among Democratic officials. Gabbard confirmed in a February 2 letter to top Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees that she attended the search at President Trump’s request and under her authority to oversee intelligence aspects of election security — including counterintelligence, foreign malign influence, and cybersecurity. She additionally arranged a brief phone call between Trump and the FBI agents on-site, during which the president gave no directives. Associated PressWashington Post

Just days later, President Trump offered a different explanation at the National Prayer Breakfast, saying that Gabbard had attended the raid “at Pam’s insistence” — referring to then–Attorney General Pam Bondi. This contradicted his earlier statement to NBC News where he claimed he did not know why Gabbard was present. DNI Gabbard’s spokesperson later bridged the discrepancies, stating that both Trump and Bondi had asked for her presence and that “two things can be true at the same time.” AxiosCBS News

Georgia’s Democratic leaders — U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock and Representatives Lucy McBath and Nikema Williams — have demanded clarity, sending a letter to Attorney General Bondi asking whether a legitimate foreign-intelligence nexus justified Gabbard’s involvement and requesting a briefing by February 13, 2026. They also raised questions about the unusual jurisdiction of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri in approving the Georgia search warrant. The Guardian

The situation has drawn broader criticism from national Democrats. Senator Mark Warner, vice-chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has called for Gabbard to testify under oath, calling her presence “unusual” and demanding accountability. Axios

Why this matters locally

Fulton County, a stronghold for Democratic voters and historically targeted by unfounded claims of election fraud, is now centrally embroiled in a federal operation that intersects with national political narratives. The involvement of an intelligence official — particularly one appointed by a president who continues to undermine the legitimacy of elections — raises critical questions about the boundaries between domestic law enforcement and national intelligence operations. The controversy underscores the importance of safeguarding public trust in the integrity of elections, especially in jurisdictions like Cowlitz County where confidence in democratic processes remains vital.

What’s next

The county’s motion for the return of seized materials is pending in federal court. Meanwhile, congressional oversight may intensify: Gabbard could be summoned under oath, and the Department of Justice may be pressured to disclose the intelligence rationale behind targeting Fulton County. Transparent answers will be essential to restoring faith in fair and impartial governance.

Sources

  • Washington Post: reporting on the FBI seizure and county court motion
  • Associated Press: Gabbard’s letter to House and Senate intelligence leadership
  • Axios / CBS News: explanations from Trump, Bondi, and the intelligence office
  • The Guardian: Georgia lawmakers’ inquiry into Gabbard’s role
  • Axios: Senator Warner’s call for Gabbard to testify