Trump Orders Gabbard to Attend Georgia FBI Search, Facilitates Agent Call
Updated (2 articles)
-
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
-
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 Directly Requested Gabbard’s Presence at Fulton Search President Donald Trump asked DNI Tulsi Gabbard to travel to Fulton County, Georgia, for the FBI’s search of the elections hub, and she complied on Jan. 29, 2026. Gabbard confirmed in a letter to the House and Senate intelligence committees that the request came directly from the president [1]. Newsweek reports that Trump personally directed her to Atlanta and coordinated her actions with senior FBI leadership [2]. The request was framed as a courtesy rather than an operational directive.
Agents Confiscated Approximately 700 Ballot Boxes and Records Federal agents executed a court‑authorized warrant at the Fulton County elections operations center on Jan. 29, seizing roughly 700 boxes of physical ballots, tabulator tapes, electronic images, and voter‑roll documents [2][1]. The seizure included dozens of containers holding ballots and related paperwork tied to the 2020 contest [1]. County officials said the volume complicated real‑time verification and raised chain‑of‑custody concerns [2].
Gabbard Arranged Brief Speakerphone Call Between Trump and Agents While meeting FBI personnel at the Atlanta field office, Gabbard used her cellphone to place a speakerphone call that connected President Trump with the agents [2][1]. Trump thanked the agents and reiterated his pledge to secure elections, but neither he nor Gabbard issued investigative instructions during the brief conversation [1][2]. The call was described by sources as motivational and limited to a courtesy exchange.
County Officials File Lawsuit While Critics Question Intelligence Role Fulton County commissioners announced they will sue to contest the warrant, demand the return of seized materials, and seek a detailed probable‑cause affidavit [2]. Democrats warned that Gabbard’s presence could lend credibility to unfounded claims of foreign interference in the 2020 race [1]. Critics such as Alexandra Chandler argued that Gabbard’s involvement blurs the line between foreign‑intelligence authority and domestic law‑enforcement actions [2]. The White House praised the joint effort as part of the administration’s election‑integrity agenda [2].
Sources
-
1.
AP: Gabbard Says Trump Asked Her to Attend FBI Search in Georgia: Reports Gabbard’s letter confirming Trump’s direct request, her role in facilitating a thank‑you call, and concerns about legitimizing foreign‑interference narratives .
-
2.
Newsweek: Trump Calls FBI Agents After Georgia Election Facility Search, Gabbard Present: Details the Jan. 29 seizure of ~700 boxes, Gabbard’s on‑site facilitation of a speakerphone call, White House praise, and legal challenges from Fulton County officials .
Timeline
Nov 2020 – Trump loses the Georgia presidential contest and repeatedly alleges unfounded voter fraud in Fulton County, a claim that audits, courts and his former attorney general dismiss as baseless. [2]
2021‑2024 – Gabbard participates in Trump‑era efforts to question intelligence assessments of Russian interference in U.S. elections, raising doubts about established findings. [2]
Jan 29, 2026 – FBI agents execute a court‑authorized warrant at the Fulton County elections operations center, seizing roughly 700 boxes of physical ballots, tabulator tapes, electronic images and voter rolls, complicating real‑time verification and raising chain‑of‑custody concerns. [1]
Jan 29, 2026 – President Trump places a speakerphone call to the agents on site, using DNI Tulsi Gabbard’s cellphone to connect; the brief conversation is motivational and contains no investigative instructions. [1][2]
Jan 29, 2026 – Gabbard travels to Atlanta at Trump’s request, facilitates the call, and later writes to intelligence committees that she acted as a courtesy and did not issue any directives, invoking her DNI authority over election‑security intelligence. [2]
Feb 2, 2026 – White House spokesman Davis Ingle declares, “President Trump pledged to secure America’s elections, and he has tasked the most talented team of patriots to do just that,” framing the operation as part of the administration’s election‑security agenda. [1]
Feb 2‑3, 2026 – Fulton County commissioners announce they will file a lawsuit to contest the warrant, demand the return of seized materials, and seek a detailed probable‑cause affidavit, signaling continued political pressure on the county. [1]
Feb 3, 2026 – Critics such as Alexandra Chandler warn that Gabbard “traded her statutory mandate for a partisan performance,” arguing that the overlap of intelligence and domestic law enforcement threatens the rule of law. [1]