FBI Broadens Fulton County Election Probe With Nationwide Review of Records

Federal investigators are expanding their review of Georgia’s 2020 election by bringing in intelligence analysts from FBI field offices across the country to help examine thousands of records connected to the agency’s investigation in Fulton County.

The effort follows months of investigative activity surrounding the county’s 2020 election materials. Earlier this year, the FBI seized physical ballots, ballot images, voter rolls, and vote-tabulation records while executing a search warrant. A Fulton County judge later rejected the county’s request to have those materials returned, allowing investigators to retain the evidence as the case moves forward.

To accelerate the review, the FBI has directed offices nationwide to temporarily assign analysts to Atlanta, according to a bureau memo obtained by CBS News. The Directorate of Intelligence described the investigation as one of Director Kash Patel’s priorities, though the memo did not specify the case by name. Sources familiar with the directive confirmed it relates to the Fulton County election investigation.

The bureau hopes to assemble 260 analysts. Depending on the size of each field office, between three and eight analysts will be assigned to the project. Each analyst has been tasked with reviewing 708 records before a July 17 deadline. These specialists typically support investigations by analyzing records, reviewing subpoena returns, examining digital evidence, and conducting intelligence research.

The investigation originated after a referral from Justice Department attorney Kurt Olsen, who previously participated in legal efforts challenging the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. Olsen is now involved in a separate Justice Department inquiry examining allegations of a broader conspiracy involving officials from the Obama and Biden administrations.

President Donald Trump has continued to argue that widespread fraud influenced the outcome of Georgia’s 2020 election, including claims that ineligible ballots were counted in Fulton County. He has not presented evidence supporting those allegations. Biden’s 11,779-vote victory in Georgia was reaffirmed through both a statewide machine recount and a hand audit conducted by every county.

MS Now first reported the FBI’s nationwide staffing request. The FBI declined to comment on the investigation.