Fulton County Seeks Court Order to Return Seized 2020 Ballots Amid Trump’s Election Takeover Push
Updated (3 articles)
Fulton County Demands Return of Seized Election Materials Fulton officials filed a motion on Feb. 5 asking a federal judge to compel the FBI to hand back hundreds of boxes containing 2020 ballots, tabulator tapes, electronic images and voter rolls taken from a warehouse near Atlanta last week [1]. The county argues the seizure lacked legal justification and hampers ongoing audits of the 2020 election. The request follows the FBI’s raid, which occurred after President Trump publicly urged a federal takeover of elections in Democratic‑run jurisdictions [1][2][3].
Trump Calls for “Nationalize” Georgia Voting System In a Feb. 3 interview with former FBI deputy director Dan Bongino, Trump urged Republicans to “nationalize the voting” in Georgia, framing the demand as a safeguard against alleged fraud [2][3]. He linked the call to the recent FBI raid on Fulton County’s elections office, suggesting a federal overhaul would protect future contests. The president reiterated his claim that the 2020 election was stolen, despite lacking evidence, and positioned the raid as proof of systemic problems [2][3].
Congress Nears Agreement to End Partial Shutdown After intensive lobbying by Trump and GOP leaders, congressional leaders reported they are “pretty close” to a funding package that could lift the partial government shutdown affecting nearly a million federal workers [2][3]. Trump said he has spoken with Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer to avoid a prolonged funding gap. The proposed bill would fund key agencies, including the Defense Department, through September 2026 [2][3].
Clinton Couple Agrees to House Oversight Depositions Bill and Hillary Clinton consented to appear for in‑person depositions before House Oversight Chair James Comer as part of the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein investigation [2][3]. Their agreement follows a Justice Department release of more than three million pages of Epstein‑related documents and follows previous contempt battles with the committee. Depositions are slated for the coming weeks, adding high‑profile testimony to the probe [2][3].
Administration Launches $12 Billion Project Vault Mineral Reserve Trump announced “Project Vault,” a government‑backed critical‑minerals reserve financed with $10 billion from the Export‑Import Bank and $2 billion from private investors [2][3]. The initiative aims to secure supplies of minerals essential for chips, batteries and other technologies. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and GM CEO Mary Barra attended the unveiling [2][3].
Sources
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1.
AP: Georgia Election Records Fight Intensifies as Trump Pushes Midterm Takeover – Details Fulton County’s court order request to retrieve seized 2020 ballots, Trump’s “take over” rhetoric, and Democratic warnings about constitutional norms .
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2.
CNN: Trump Administration Updates: Voting Push, FBI Raid, Shutdown Near End and More – Highlights Trump’s “nationalize voting” call, the FBI raid controversy, imminent shutdown resolution, and the launch of Project Vault .
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3.
CNN: Trump Administration Updates: Voting Push, Shutdown Talks, and New Initiatives – Mirrors voting‑system pressure and shutdown talks, adds Trump’s remarks on Cuba, and clarifies his lack of knowledge about a UAE crypto investment .
Timeline
2025 – Trump assumes the presidency on Jan 20, 2025 and issues pardons for more than 1,000 individuals convicted in the Jan 6 Capitol attack, signaling a shift in federal enforcement of election‑related offenses and bolstering his “law‑and‑order” credibility [3].
Jan 31, 2026 – A partial federal government shutdown begins after Congress fails to pass a spending bill, affecting nearly one million federal workers and raising pressure on lawmakers to reach a funding agreement before the fiscal year ends [1][2].
Early Feb 2026 – The FBI executes a raid on the Fulton County, Georgia elections office, seizing hundreds of boxes of 2020 ballots, tabulator tapes, electronic images and voter rolls as part of a Justice Department investigation into alleged voter fraud; Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard places President Trump on the phone with agents during the operation [1][3].
Feb 2, 2026 – In an interview with former FBI deputy director Dan Bongino, President Trump urges Republicans to “nationalize the voting” in Georgia, framing the demand as a safeguard against what he calls a stolen 2020 election and linking it to the recent FBI raid [1][2].
Feb 2, 2026 – Trump announces “Project Vault,” a $12 billion critical‑minerals reserve financed by $10 billion from the Export‑Import Bank and $2 billion of private capital, aiming to secure supplies for chips, batteries and other technologies and positioning the initiative as a national‑security priority [1][2].
Feb 2, 2026 – During a press briefing, Trump describes Cuba as a “failed nation” and says the United States is exchanging messages with Cuban officials, while noting that Mexico will stop sending oil to Cuba and referencing recent U.S. actions in Venezuela [2].
Feb 2, 2026 – Trump tells reporters he “knows nothing” about a United Arab Emirates‑linked firm’s 49 % stake purchase in the family‑run cryptocurrency venture World Liberty Financial, distancing himself from the deal signed by his son Eric Trump days before the inauguration [2].
Feb 2, 2026 – After intense lobbying by Trump and GOP leaders, congressional leaders report they are “pretty close” to a bipartisan spending package that would fund key agencies, including the Defense Department, through September and potentially end the partial shutdown within 24 hours [1][2].
Feb 4‑5, 2026 – Fulton County officials file a federal lawsuit seeking a court order to compel the FBI to return the seized 2020 election materials, arguing the seizure lacks legal justification and threatening to challenge the Department of Justice’s data‑seeking efforts [3].
Feb 4‑5, 2026 – In an NBC News interview, Trump states he will accept any Republican loss in the 2026 midterms “only if the results are honest,” reiterating his pattern of attributing defeats to alleged fraud while positioning himself as a fair‑play arbiter [3].
Feb 4‑5, 2026 – Senate Democrat Mark Warner warns that Trump’s calls for a federal takeover of elections could push loyalists to act “beyond the Constitution,” and state officials prepare contingency plans that include possible ICE deployment at polling sites [3].
Feb 4‑5, 2026 – The White House links Trump’s “take over” remarks to the SAVE Act, a bill tightening proof‑of‑citizenship requirements for voting, citing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s presence at the Fulton raid as evidence of coordination [3].
Mar 2026 (expected) – Bill and Hillary Clinton agree to appear for in‑person depositions before House Oversight Chair James Comer in the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein investigation, with the sessions slated for the coming weeks, reflecting heightened congressional pressure on the Clintons [1][2].
July 4, 2026 – The Kennedy Center closes for an estimated two‑year, $200 million renovation; Trump announces the shutdown while preserving the building’s steel and marble structure, prompting criticism that the timing shields the administration from venue cancellations after his name is added to the center [1].
Nov 2026 – The 2026 midterm elections approach, with Trump’s “nationalize the voting” push and calls for a federal takeover shaping Republican strategies in swing states such as Georgia, while Democratic leaders brace for potential legal battles over voting‑rights legislation [3].
External resources (2 links)
- https://x.com/RepLuna/status/2014703505135505816 (cited 2 times)