WASHINGTON, D.C. – FBI Director Kash Patel went on Fox News’ Saturday in America to address several issues now facing the bureau. He spoke about the federal election-related probe in Georgia, active investigations into alleged fraud schemes in Minnesota, and what he described as major declines in violent crime across the country, including school shootings.
Patel said the FBI is focused on facts, follows the law, and is working under the current administration’s push for crime reduction and accountability. His remarks come as federal law enforcement actions get heavier attention, especially cases tied to the highly debated 2020 presidential election.
The Georgia probe has drawn intense interest because it touches a still-polarizing topic: claims and counterclaims about how the 2020 election was handled. Patel framed the FBI’s work as evidence-driven, not political, while critics argue the timing and targets raise concerns.
FBI Fulton County Raid and the Search Warrant
Patel’s biggest focus was the FBI search at the Fulton County Elections and Operations Hub in Georgia. The search, carried out in late January 2026, sought records tied to the 2020 election, including original ballots and voter rolls. Court records say the warrant relied on federal laws tied to keeping election materials and bans on voter registration fraud or coercion.
Patel said a federal judge found probable cause for the search. On The Charlie Kirk Show, he described the process plainly: the bureau presented its findings, and the judge approved the warrant based on probable cause. He repeated the same message on Fox News, saying the FBI follows facts and the law, and it acts when a case meets the probable-cause standard under direction from President Trump and the Attorney General.
Fulton County has been a center of dispute since 2020, when Donald Trump narrowly lost Georgia to Joe Biden. Recounts and audits confirmed Biden’s win, but claims of irregularities never fully went away. The search reportedly led to the seizure of hundreds of boxes of records, drawing criticism from local leaders who called it unnecessary and said it could feel intimidating.
Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts and Board of Registration & Elections Chair Sherri Allen said earlier reviews found the county’s elections were fair and lawful, and they don’t expect any change to the 2020 outcome. Some Democrats, including Rep. Nikema Williams, have said the raid looks like political payback instead of proper law enforcement.
Patel rejected that framing. He said the investigation is still active and requires careful review of a “voluminous” amount of evidence. He also said these cases take time when the goal is a full and accurate review. Patel dismissed concerns about statute-of-limitations problems, saying the search was done on time, within the law, and within constitutional limits.
What Patel Says the FBI Is Doing Next
Patel described the Georgia case as ongoing, with the bureau still sorting and reviewing what was collected. He stressed that the FBI will follow the evidence and make decisions step by step, based on what the record supports.
Patel also talked about FBI activity in Minnesota, where the bureau has sent resources to investigate large fraud schemes tied to federal programs. He pointed to cases involving day care centers and possible misuse of public grants, with reports of arrests and multi-agency work.
These Minnesota investigations grew after whistleblower claims and broader concerns about government fraud. In late 2025, Patel said the FBI sent personnel to help “dismantle” these networks.
That effort was linked to actions that included freezing billions in federal funding to several states, including Minnesota. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley has asked for more detail, including a discussion of a new Assistant Attorney General role focused on fraud enforcement.
Patel didn’t spend much time on election-related fraud in Minnesota during this interview, but the state’s role in wider fraud crackdowns has also raised questions about voter rolls and related records. In one reported case, federal requests to access Minnesota voter data were denied, which added to the scrutiny. Patel described the work as part of a national effort to protect taxpayer dollars and stop abuse of public programs.
Critics have called parts of this approach overreach, especially in states run by Democrats. Patel said the FBI is not picking sides, and that agents are following evidence where it leads.
Crime Drops, Including School Shootings
Patel also pointed to what he called a “historic” decline in crime under the current administration. He said the country has seen drops in violent crime, including homicides, mass shootings, and school shootings.
“The FBI has had a historic year in reducing crime across the country,” Patel said, giving credit to President Trump and support for law enforcement. He cited figures he said show mass shootings at a 20-year low and school shootings at the lowest level in five years. Patel tied those results to enforcement strategies like targeted arrests, gang crackdowns (including operations involving groups like the Latin Kings), and closer coordination with local agencies.
He also pointed to Washington, D.C., where he said FBI-led work helped drive down gun crime, carjackings, and homicides, in some cases by more than 50% over certain periods. Patel also referenced a reported 20% drop in the national murder rate, which he said supports projections of a modern-era low in murders.
Patel said the drop in school shootings hits home for him as a parent. He described it as real relief for families and communities.
What This Signals About FBI Priorities
Outside assessments don’t always match every figure or assign credit the same way. Some analysts point to multiple causes, including post-pandemic shifts and local policy choices. Patel still framed the numbers as proof of what the FBI can do when it focuses heavily on violent crime.
Patel’s comments painted a picture of an FBI, he says is back on core work: investigating credible claims, breaking up fraud rings, and pushing violent crime down. By stressing probable cause in Georgia, continuing fraud cases in Minnesota, and claiming improvements in public safety, including school shootings, he aimed to build confidence that the bureau is acting fairly and getting results.
The Georgia case remains unsettled, with Patel offering no forecast on where it ends, only that evidence will shape the next steps. As debates keep going over election integrity, fraud enforcement, and public safety, Patel’s public message was clear: the FBI will pursue leads aggressively, but only within legal limits.
The bureau is operating in a tense environment, facing calls for accountability alongside worries about politics. Whether the Georgia probe uncovers new information or backs earlier conclusions, it has already restarted a national argument about trust in elections and institutions.
