GEORGIA – Federal agents with the FBI carried out a search warrant at the Fulton County Elections Hub and Operations Center in Union City, Georgia, near Atlanta. Agents removed hundreds of boxes of election materials tied to the 2020 presidential contest. Reports put the total at roughly 656 to 700 boxes. The records reportedly include ballots, tabulator tapes, ballot images, voter rolls, and related files.

The seizure has brought Fulton County back into the spotlight. The county, which includes much of Atlanta, is a Democratic stronghold and was one of the most argued-over areas after the 2020 vote. The move has also reopened public debate about election security, claims of voter fraud, and the reliability of voting technology.

President Donald Trump, who lost Georgia to Joe Biden by fewer than 12,000 votes, has long said the state’s results were affected by major problems. Since 2020, Georgia has gone through audits, recounts, and reviews at the state and federal levels. Those efforts upheld the certified outcome and did not find fraud that could have changed the result. Even so, the FBI’s action suggests federal authorities are either following new information or taking another look at old claims.

The warrant was approved by Magistrate Judge Catherine M. Salinas. It called for “all physical ballots from the 2020 general election,” along with connected digital records and voter data. Federal officials described the search as “court-authorized,” but shared few details, citing an ongoing investigation.

Fulton County confirmed the seizure and said the records had been kept as required by law. Some county leaders and staff voiced concern about the scale of the search and the loss of custody over archived materials. They also warned it could affect current election planning. County officials said they were prepared to challenge parts of the warrant in court if needed.

Voter Fraud Claims Return to the Forefront

The search has revived familiar accusations that fraud shaped Georgia’s 2020 result. Critics have pointed to several issues that have circulated for years, including alleged ballot mishandling at State Farm Arena, concerns about unsecured drop boxes, and claimed problems with voter rolls.

Georgia officials have reviewed many of these claims before. Investigations led by Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, rejected most of them. State reviews often said the claims were unsupported or based on misunderstandings of normal election steps. Still, the arguments have stayed alive online and in political messaging, especially around Fulton County.

A major focus has been on Dominion Voting Machines, which were used in Fulton County and much of Georgia. Some conspiracy theories claimed Dominion systems could be hacked or altered and used to switch votes from Trump to Biden.

Dominion has repeatedly denied those claims. The company has also reached defamation settlements with outlets that promoted the allegations. Supporters of the technology point to hand recounts that matched the machine totals as a key check on accuracy.

Official probes, including cybersecurity reviews by federal agencies, have not found credible evidence of widespread tampering with Dominion equipment. Even so, the FBI’s seizure included tabulator tapes and ballot images, records that could be reviewed to see how votes were recorded and reported. Some observers say that kind of material could support a detailed forensic review of tabulation steps, equipment logs, and reporting outputs.

Election security experts have also warned that broad seizures can create political fallout. They say large-scale federal action, especially years after an election, can deepen distrust if people see law enforcement as taking sides. That concern has grown because the seizure happened more than five years after the 2020 vote, during a period when national leaders have continued to argue about that election.

A Former Employee’s Sworn Statement Draws Attention

Interest in Fulton County’s 2020 records has also been linked to a sworn statement from a former county election employee. The statement has been cited in legal filings and public discussions over the years.

According to summaries of the affidavit, the former worker reported witnessing events they believed raised red flags. Those claims have included access concerns involving voting systems and observations related to ballot handling and chain-of-custody practices. The exact details have differed depending on how the statement is described in court filings and commentary.

Similar affidavits appeared in lawsuits that challenged the 2020 results. Courts often dismissed those cases, saying the claims lacked supporting proof or relied too heavily on hearsay. Still, people pushing for deeper reviews have pointed to the former employee’s sworn statement as a reason to keep pressing for answers, including more scrutiny of Dominion systems and county election procedures.

It is not clear whether that statement played a direct role in the FBI’s warrant. Federal authorities have not explained what triggered the search or what the investigation is focused on. That lack of detail has left space for competing interpretations. Supporters of the seizure see it as a serious step toward accountability, while critics see it as a sign that old claims are being reworked into new investigations.

Legal experts have also raised questions about the sweep of the warrant and the practical impact of taking so many archived records. Some say it is unusual for federal agents to remove large sets of ballots and related materials so long after an election. Others have questioned how the action fits with record retention rules and the normal process for investigating election-related offenses.

Civil rights and election groups watched the situation closely. The ACLU of Georgia sent observers during the operation and documented what they saw, saying transparency matters when law enforcement takes actions that could affect public confidence in elections.

What the FBI Seizure Could Mean for Election Integrity Debates

The Fulton County search happened during a period of intense national disagreement over voting rules and election systems. President Trump has continued to describe the 2020 election as corrupt. Recent moves by the administration, including requests for voter data from states, have also signaled a wider interest in reviewing past election activity. Election officials in many states have pushed back, saying repeated rechecks and broad demands can damage trust and make it harder to run future elections.

Fulton County leaders, including Chairman Rob Pitts, have expressed concern about losing control of records they consider sensitive and irreplaceable, even if only for a time. County officials have said they followed required procedures in 2020. They also point to later elections conducted in the county as evidence that systems and staff can run large contests effectively.

For people who believe the investigation is needed, the seizure looks like a long-awaited step to verify claims that were never fully addressed to their satisfaction. For opponents, it looks like a risky precedent, one that could turn federal power into a tool used against political opponents and local election offices.

What comes next depends on what investigators find and what they choose to make public. Forensic review can take time, and results may not settle the argument for everyone. Even so, the episode shows how the fight over the 2020 election still shapes politics in 2026, from debates about voting technology to basic trust in the people and institutions that run elections.

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FBI to Launch Sweeping Crackdown on Left-Wing Extremists in Minnesota

MINNESOTA – U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) was attacked Tuesday night during a community town hall in Minneapolis after an audience member rushed the stage and sprayed her with an unknown liquid. The incident has renewed worries about political violence in the United States.

The town hall took place at the Urban League Twin Cities site in North Minneapolis. Omar was speaking to about 100 people about local concerns, including recent immigration enforcement activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

It was one of her first in-person town halls this year, as tensions have risen in the area after two deadly shootings involving federal agents.

Footage from the live-stream, recorded by attendees and local media, shows Omar speaking at the podium. Soon after she said, “We must abolish ICE for good,” and urged the resignation or impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, a man in the front row moved quickly toward the stage.

Minneapolis police later identified him as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak. Witnesses said he approached the lectern holding what looked like a syringe. He then sprayed a foul-smelling liquid at Ilhan Omar. Security staff and officers immediately tackled him, restrained him, and led him out of the room in handcuffs as people reacted with shock and shouted warnings.

Ilhan Omar stepped back as security stepped in. Several attendees reported a strong odor from the substance, and one person urged her to get checked by medical staff right away. The Minneapolis Police Department sent forensic teams to test the liquid and gather evidence, including the syringe left behind on the floor.

Ilhan Omar Stays at the Podium

After the attack, some officials urged the event to end. Ilhan Omar chose to continue. She returned to the microphone after a brief pause and told the crowd, “We are Minnesota strong, and we will stay steady in the face of whatever they might throw at us.”

She later told reporters, “I’ve survived war. And I’m definitely going to survive intimidation and whatever these people think they can throw at me because I’m built that way.”

In a social media post soon after, Ilhan Omar said she was not hurt and said she would keep doing her job: “I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work. I don’t let bullies win. Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.”

The meeting continued for about 25 more minutes. Omar took questions, and many in the audience thanked her for staying to finish the session.

Police arrested Kazmierczak at the scene and booked him into Hennepin County Jail. He faces a third-degree assault charge. Officials described the act as a targeted attack on a member of Congress. U.S. Capitol Police said it would work with federal partners to seek “the most serious charges possible” to discourage similar incidents.

Tense Moments in Minneapolis

The attack comes as threats against lawmakers have been rising. Capitol Police reported a more than 57% jump in cases investigated in 2025 compared with the year before, with nearly 15,000 cases tied to concerning messages and behavior.

The assault happened during a tense moment in Minneapolis tied to immigration enforcement.

Recent shootings by federal agents during attempted detentions left two people dead, an intensive care nurse and a mother of three, sparking protests and anger in the community. Omar has criticized ICE operations for years and remains a visible voice on immigrant rights.

President Donald Trump, who has frequently criticized Ilhan Omar and made remarks about her Somali background at a rally in Iowa earlier the same day, raised the idea of easing enforcement actions in Minnesota. He did not immediately comment on the town hall attack.

Leaders from both parties condemned the assault. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said, “Violence and intimidation have no place in Minneapolis. We can disagree without putting people at risk.” Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina), who often challenges Ilhan Omar’s rhetoric, said she was “deeply disturbed” and added that “no elected official should face physical attacks. This is not who we are.”

The incident also follows a separate attack on Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Florida) at the Sundance Film Festival days earlier, adding to concerns about physical confrontations aimed at members of Congress.

Lawmakers and researchers have warned for years that sharper political division and heated rhetoric can spill into real-world violence. Omar’s experience shows the risk officials face when they meet voters face-to-face.

Many representatives have limited in-person events because of security issues, but Ilhan Omar’s choice to continue the town hall signaled she won’t back down.

Investigators are still working to identify the substance and determine the attacker’s motive. For many watching, the episode was another reminder of how quickly public discourse can turn dangerous, even at local community events.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – FBI Director Kash Patel said Monday the bureau has opened major investigations into what he described as a coordinated left-wing network in Minnesota. He alleges the group used encrypted communications to interfere with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and threaten federal agents.

Patel made the comments during an interview with conservative commentator Benny Johnson. He said the probes began after reports from citizen journalist Cam Higby, who claims he gained access to private Signal group chats used by activists in Minneapolis.

According to those reports, the chats show organized efforts to track ICE agents, share personal details about them, and coordinate resistance to deportations aimed at criminal illegal aliens.

“We’re investigating,” Patel said. “As soon as Higby put that post out, I opened an investigation on it. If that leads to a break in the federal statute or a violation of some law, then we are going to arrest people. They should be worried. If they broke the law, you should be worried.”

Patel’s announcement comes as Minnesota faces growing tension around ICE activity. Protests tied to immigration raids have sometimes turned violent. Reports say activist networks, including some linked to Antifa-aligned groups, have used advanced methods.

Shift in FBI priorities

Those tactics reportedly include license plate readers to spot federal vehicles, databases used to dox agents, and live coordination meant to disrupt enforcement. Patel also suggested the effort may stretch beyond Minnesota and involve people in other states.

The move highlights a shift in FBI priorities since Patel was confirmed as director earlier in 2025. Patel, appointed by President Donald Trump, has put more attention on domestic threats he says are tied to left-wing ideology.

That includes efforts to treat certain anarchist and anti-fascist groups as domestic terrorism concerns. Critics, including current and former FBI staff cited in recent New York Times reporting, say the bureau under Patel has moved resources away from long-standing threats to chase cases they view as political.

Conservative outlets have labeled the Minnesota case “Signal-Gate.” The story gained traction after citizen journalism described what it called a “low-level insurgency” against federal deportation actions.

Higby’s reporting, boosted by outlets such as ZeroHedge and Breitbart, described Signal chats where participants allegedly posted real-time updates on ICE activity.

Some of the chats reportedly included high-level political figures in Minnesota’s Democratic infrastructure, raising questions about a possible conspiracy to injure federal officers or obstruct justice.

Patel credited outside reporting for helping spark the investigation. He said the FBI is also looking for tips and public information tied to the reported activity. “We immediately opened up that investigation because that sort of Signal chat being coordinated with individuals, not just locally in Minnesota, but maybe even around the country,” he said.

Vandalizing FBI vehicles

The timing matches a wider Trump administration push to respond to resistance against immigration enforcement. Recent arrests in Minneapolis include suspects accused of vandalizing FBI vehicles during anti-ICE unrest. One suspect, described as a Latin Kings gang member, allegedly stole government property.

Patel has warned that threats against law enforcement and attacks on federal equipment will bring serious consequences.

Minnesota officials have not directly answered Patel’s remarks. The state has been a flashpoint in disputes over federal immigration policy. Governor Tim Walz and other Democrats have criticized aggressive ICE operations in the past. Some local leaders have framed resistance as a form of community protection, not criminal conduct.

Legal experts say peaceful protest and encrypted messaging are protected under the First Amendment. Still, actions that cross into threats, conspiracy, or obstruction can trigger federal charges. Laws that could apply include 18 U.S.C. § 115 (threats against federal officials), § 372 (conspiracy to impede officers), and other civil rights or obstruction statutes.

Patel’s comments drew strong reactions across party lines. Supporters say the FBI must act to protect federal agents and enforce the law. Critics argue the bureau is being used against political opponents. They point to Patel’s past support for conspiracy claims and his stated goal of reshaping the FBI by going after what he calls “deep state” actors.

As the investigations move forward, Patel’s remarks suggest more arrests could follow if agents find evidence of crimes in the Signal chats or related actions. For now, Minnesota activist networks remain under intense federal scrutiny as the FBI reviews claims of coordinated interference with ICE operations.

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