Trump Pushes GOP “Nationalisation” of Voting After Fulton County Raid, Gabbard’s Role Fuels Confusion
Updated (20 articles)
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Image: NewsweekWASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 12: U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by Tulsi Gabbard, speaks after Gabbard is sworn in as director of national intelligence in the Oval Office at the White House on February 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. Gabbard, who will oversee the 18 intelligence agencies and serve as Trump’s advisory on intelligence, was confirmed by the Senate 52-48. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) Source Full size
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Image: NewsweekWASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 12: U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by Tulsi Gabbard, speaks after Gabbard is sworn in as director of national intelligence in the Oval Office at the White House on February 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. Gabbard, who will oversee the 18 intelligence agencies and serve as Trump’s advisory on intelligence, was confirmed by the Senate 52-48. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) Source Full size
Trump Demands Republican Control of Fifteen Voting Jurisdictions President Donald Trump told Dan Bongino on Feb 3 2026 that Republicans should “nationalise” elections by taking over voting in at least fifteen jurisdictions, repeating unsubstantiated 2020 fraud claims and linking the push to his immigration agenda; the remarks came hours after FBI agents executed a court‑authorized search of the Fulton County election hub [1]. He framed the raid as a prelude to “interesting things” that would emerge, while the White House highlighted the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which would require documentary proof of citizenship for registration [1]. Trump remains under two Georgia election‑interference indictments—one federal case dismissed after his 2025 return to the White House and a collapsed state racketeering case—yet he continues to deny wrongdoing [1].
Gabbard’s Attendance at the Search Sparks Role Ambiguity Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard traveled to Fulton County on Trump’s request, wrote to intelligence committees that she facilitated a brief thank‑you call between the president and FBI agents, and asserted her statutory authority over election‑security counter‑intelligence [3][4]. The administration gave conflicting statements: Trump praised her “hard work” on election safety, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said he “tapped” Gabbard to oversee election sanctity, while Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche later downplayed her involvement, claiming she was merely present [2][4][5]. Former senior FBI officials called her direct interaction “unprecedented” and warned it undermines the rule of law, and Democratic secretaries of state condemned the appearance as “election‑denialism conspiracy” [7][8][13][15].
FBI Seized Roughly 700 Ballot Boxes, County Prepares Lawsuit Agents loaded about 700 boxes containing physical ballots, tabulator tapes, electronic images and voter‑roll data onto trucks for transport to the FBI’s Records Complex in Virginia [6][10][13][15][20]. Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. announced a motion in the Northern District of Georgia invoking Rule 41(g) to demand the return of the seized materials, forensic accounting, and limits on the warrant’s scope [6]. County officials, including Chairman Robb Pitts, warned the seizure jeopardizes ballot security and vowed to sue over alleged overreach, arguing the FBI lacked authority to remove original ballots [6][10][14]. The DOJ’s parallel civil suit seeks the same records from the county clerk, further intensifying the legal battle [11][12][17][18][20].
Broader Political and Legislative Fallout Intensifies Trump’s call to “nationalise” voting aligns with White House discussions of executive orders targeting mail‑in ballots and voter‑ID requirements ahead of the November midterms, though specifics remain undisclosed [9][1]. Critics argue Gabbard’s involvement blurs the line between foreign‑intelligence duties and domestic election investigations, warning it creates a “roadmap for defense attorneys to claim undue influence” [5][9]. Democratic leaders denounced the raid as a “seismic event” and an assault on voter rights, while some Republicans defended the legality of the warrant and praised Gabbard’s election‑security role [13][10][15]. The episode underscores the ongoing clash between Trump’s unfounded fraud narrative and institutional attempts to safeguard election integrity.
Sources
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1.
BBC: Trump Urges GOP to “Nationalise” Voting Amid Georgia Election Raid: Trump calls for Republicans to take over voting in at least fifteen jurisdictions, repeats 2020 fraud claims, links voting control to immigration, and references the FBI raid; White House backs Safeguard Act and notes his two Georgia indictments .
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2.
CNN: Trump, DNI Gabbard’s Roles in Fulton County Election Office Search Remain Confusing: Highlights the FBI‑led raid, Gabbard’s on‑site presence, conflicting admin statements about her role, and the president’s phone call facilitated by Gabbard .
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AP: Gabbard says Trump asked her to attend FBI search in Georgia: Gabbard’s letter confirms Trump’s request for her attendance, details the brief thank‑you call, and cites her statutory authority over election‑security intelligence .
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4.
CNN: Trump Thanks FBI Agents After Fulton County Search, DNI Gabbard Facilitates Call: Describes Gabbard arranging the post‑raid call, Trump’s gratitude‑only conversation, Deputy AG Blanche’s shifting comments, and former FBI officials’ criticism .
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Newsweek: Trump Calls FBI Agents After Georgia Election Facility Search, Gabbard Present: Reports the Jan 29 2026 speakerphone call arranged by Gabbard, seizure of ~700 boxes, White House praise for the joint effort, and county’s planned legal challenge .
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CNN: Fulton County to Challenge FBI’s 2020 Election Record Seizure in Federal Court: Details the county’s upcoming motion in the Northern District of Georgia, Commissioner Arrington’s demands, and the legal basis under Rule 41(g) .
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CNN: Tulsi Gabbard Joins FBI Search of Fulton County Election Office Amid 2020 Fraud Probe: Notes Gabbard’s atypical presence, Trump’s praise, Democratic secretaries’ condemnation, and Republican officials’ willingness to meet her .
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CNN: Tulsi Gabbard Joins FBI Search of Fulton County Ballot Vault Amid Trump’s 2020 Election Push: Emphasizes Trump’s continued 2020 denial, Gabbard’s ODNI‑cited election‑security duties, and expert skepticism about uncovering new fraud .
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9.
Newsweek: Trump Administration Mulls Voting Executive Orders as DNI Gabbard Probes 2020 Election: Reports internal discussions of voting executive orders, Gabbard’s months‑long review, and Democratic criticism of the probe’s lack of new evidence .
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10.
King5 (Seattle, WA): FBI Seizes Hundreds of Fulton County Ballot Boxes in Sealed Search: Describes the sealed warrant, ~700 boxes seized, Gabbard and Deputy Director Bailey on site, and partisan reactions from Democrats and Republicans .
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11.
AP: FBI serves search warrant at Fulton County elections office, seeking 2020 election records: Confirms the Jan 28 2026 warrant, Director Kash Patel’s involvement, and Trump’s ongoing fraud narrative .
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AP: FBI Executes Search Warrant at Fulton County Elections Office: Details the seizure of ballots, scanner tapes, and voter rolls; links to Trump’s claims and Patel’s leadership .
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Newsweek: FBI Executes Court‑Authorized Search of Fulton County Election Office, Democrats Decry: Highlights the raid, seizure of 700 boxes, Democratic “seismic event” label, and Warner’s criticism of Gabbard’s role .
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AP: FBI raid on Georgia election office underscores Trump’s ongoing 2020 fraud push: Connects the raid to Trump’s post‑Davos speech, legal scholars’ warnings, and activist concerns about a national precedent .
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CNN: FBI Executes Warrant at Fulton County Elections Office Amid 2020 Fraud Probe: Reports the Jan 28 seizure, ~700 boxes headed to Virginia, Gabbard and Bailey’s presence, and Democratic condemnation .
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16.
BBC: FBI raids Georgia election office in 2020 materials: Summarizes the court‑authorized raid, DOJ lawsuit for records, local officials’ criticism, and background on Trump’s fraud claims .
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AP: FBI Executes Search Warrant at Fulton County Election Office Seeking 2020 Records: Covers the Jan 28 raid, items seized, Trump’s warning of prosecutions, and dismissal of the 2023 indictment .
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): FBI Executes Search Warrant at Fulton County Election Office Over 2020 Records: Notes the warrant, Trump’s recent prosecution warning, and the prior dismissal of Willis’s indictment .
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King5 (Seattle, WA): FBI Executes Search Warrant at Fulton County Election Office: Reiterates the Jan 28 warrant, Trump’s prosecution threat, and the broader federal probe .
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20.
Newsweek: FBI Executes Search Warrant at Fulton County Election Office Amid Ongoing 2020 Election Probe: Highlights the raid, DOJ’s broader Georgia investigation, Trump’s fraud narrative, and the state election board’s conservative push for further scrutiny .
Videos (2)
Timeline
Nov 2020 – Joe Biden wins Georgia by just over 12,000 votes after a hand recount, delivering the state’s first Democratic presidential victory since 1992[2].
Aug 2023 – Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis indicts former President Donald Trump and 18 co‑defendants for an alleged conspiracy to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results[11].
Nov 2023 – A judge dismisses the Fulton County indictment, ruling that the DA’s romantic relationship with a hired prosecutor creates an appearance of impropriety, ending the state criminal case against Trump[11].
July 2024 (Resolution) / Nov 2024 – Georgia’s State Election Board, now controlled by a conservative majority, adopts a resolution to request U.S. Attorney General assistance and issues subpoenas for 2020 ballots, stubs and digital files, reviving the 2020‑election probe[18].
Jan 2025 – Donald Trump is inaugurated for his second term; a federal election‑interference indictment against him is dismissed shortly after his return to the White House[1].
Jan 28, 2026 – FBI agents execute a court‑authorized search warrant at the Fulton County Election Hub in Union City, loading roughly 700 boxes of ballots, tabulator tapes, electronic images and voter‑roll data onto trucks for transport to the agency’s Records Complex in Virginia[8][15].
Jan 29, 2026 – Deputy Director Andrew Bailey and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stand beside the FBI trucks during the raid, and agents seize hundreds of ballot boxes while county officials are barred from observing the seizure[19][8].
Jan 29, 2026 – President Trump places a brief speaker‑phone call to the agents, arranged by DNI Gabbard, to thank them and deliver a motivational pep talk, issuing no investigative directives[9][4].
Jan 29, 2026 – White House officials discuss possible voting‑related executive orders to be issued before the November 2026 midterms, signaling a pending federal push on election policy[10].
Jan 30, 2026 – Tulsi Gabbard appears beside the FBI trucks at the Fulton County search, invoking her statutory authority over election‑security counterintelligence, while Democratic secretaries of state denounce her involvement as “election denialism conspiracy BS”[7][6].
Jan 31, 2026 – Trump tells CNN that Gabbard is “working very hard to try to keep the election safe” and hints that “interesting things” will emerge from the investigation[6].
Feb 2, 2026 – Fulton County commissioners announce they will file a motion in the Northern District of Georgia, invoking Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 41(g) to demand the return of the seized ballots and to challenge the warrant’s scope[5].
Feb 3, 2026 – On the Dan Bongino podcast, Trump urges Republicans to “nationalise” elections, saying “We want to take over. We should take over the voting in at least 15 places,” and links voting control to his immigration agenda[1].
Feb 3, 2026 – White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt frames Trump’s remarks as support for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which would require documentary proof of citizenship at voter registration[1].
Feb 3, 2026 – Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche first downplays Trump’s involvement in the search, then later praises the president’s frequent contact with law‑enforcement, stating “the president talks to law enforcement all week long… I love it”[3][4].
Feb 3, 2026 – Gabbard writes to intelligence committees that Trump specifically asked her to attend the Fulton County search and that she facilitated his brief thank‑you call, asserting her presence falls within her statutory election‑security duties[13][3].
Dive deeper (13 sub-stories)
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BBC: Trump Urges GOP to “Nationalise” Voting Amid Georgia Election Raid
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Trump, DNI Gabbard’s Confusing Role After FBI’s Fulton County Election Office Search
(2 articles)
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Trump Orders Gabbard to Attend Georgia FBI Search, Facilitates Agent Call
(2 articles)
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CNN: Trump Thanks FBI Agents After Fulton County Search, DNI Gabbard Facilitates Call
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CNN: Fulton County to Challenge FBI’s 2020 Election Record Seizure in Federal Court
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CNN: Tulsi Gabbard Joins FBI Search of Fulton County Election Office Amid 2020 Fraud Probe
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Newsweek: Trump Administration Mulls Voting Executive Orders as DNI Gabbard Probes 2020 Election
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FBI Removes Approximately 700 Fulton County Ballot Boxes, Officials Observe Seizure
(2 articles)
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FBI Executes Search Warrant at Fulton County Election Office Amid DOJ Lawsuit Over 2020 Records
(2 articles)
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FBI Executes Court‑Authorized Search of Fulton County Election Office, Seizes 2020 Records
(2 articles)
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Newsweek: FBI Executes Court‑Authorized Search of Fulton County Election Office, Democrats Decry
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FBI Executes Court‑Authorized Raid on Fulton County Election Hub as Trump Amplifies Fraud Claims
(2 articles)
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FBI Executes Jan. 28 Search Warrant at Fulton County Election Office Over 2020 Records
(2 articles)
External resources (9 links)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWKSoxG1K7w (cited 2 times)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiCWOVQHjvM (cited 1 times)
- https://sos.ga.gov/news/historic-first-statewide-audit-paper-ballots-upholds-result-presidential-race (cited 1 times)
- https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/2020/08/18/press-rubio-statement-senate-intel-release-volume-5-bipartisan-russia-report/ (cited 1 times)
- https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/us/politics/trump-fbi-phone-call-georgia-gabbard.html (cited 2 times)
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/judges-trump-election-lawsuits/2020/12/12/e3a57224-3a72-11eb-98c4-25dc9f4987e8_story.html (cited 1 times)
- https://www.wsj.com/opinion/trump-gives-democrats-a-voting-gift-executive-order-federal-election-takeover-6f335394?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqesbm7GXj9i_KHqp9OujGavqGDMaKBPKdPROsA6-iT7p8QJuJrjW_jvE9fDKkk%3D&gaa_ts=697bc97d&gaa_sig=-MWeU_0CE-JoXU307Wq1sVaXIRWjpowtYpByUh7pvsIPIVMYtCGdlmWIqrCaGsjBzRtdm6pJ9IS9F5n4UGb5JQ%3D%3D (cited 1 times)
- https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/spy-chief-tulsi-gabbard-is-hunting-for-2020-election-fraud-07ea2383?mod=wsj_furtherreading_pos_1 (cited 1 times)
- https://x.com/DNIGabbard/status/2018504435769520156?s=20 (cited 1 times)