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.

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LOS ANGELES– Former CNN host Don Lemon was arrested Thursday night in Los Angeles by federal agents. Prosecutors say the arrest ties back to a disruptive anti-ICE protest inside Cities Church in St. Paul earlier this month.

The case has quickly turned into a national flashpoint, with free speech and press rights on one side, and claims of interference with religious worship on the other.

Three others were also taken into custody on Friday in connection with the January 18 incident. They include independent journalist Georgia Fort, along with Trahern Jeen Crews and Jamael Lydell Lundy.

Quick Snapshot of the Case

• Where the protest happened: Cities Church, St. Paul, Minnesota
• Date of the incident: January 18, 2026
• Arrest location for Lemon: Los Angeles
• Main federal charges cited: Civil rights conspiracy and the FACE Act

Arrest in Los Angeles While Covering the Grammys

Don Lemon, 59, was detained while he was in Los Angeles covering the Grammy Awards. He appeared in federal court there on Friday and was released without bond.

Don Lemon has worked as an independent journalist since leaving CNN in 2023. His attorney, Abbe Lowell, called the case an attack on journalism and said the defense will fight the charges.

What Happened at Cities Church in St. Paul

The charges stem from what happened during a Sunday service on January 18. A group of anti-ICE activists entered the church and began chanting phrases such as “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good.” The chants referenced a person activists say was killed in an ICE-related incident.

Activists also directed attention at one of the church’s pastors. They believed he was serving as the acting director of a local ICE field office. Protesters said this created a conflict between immigration enforcement work and Christian teaching.

Video from the incident, including livestreams by Lemon and Fort, shows protesters interrupting the service, confronting congregants, and raising tensions inside the sanctuary.

Don Lemon entered the church with the group and filmed what happened while narrating. Critics say he went beyond reporting and took part in the disruption. Supporters say he was documenting a newsworthy protest in real time.

Church leaders said the interruption lasted several minutes and forced the service to pause. They described it as a coordinated effort that made worshippers feel intimidated.

Federal Charges Filed Against Don Lemon and Co-Defendants

Lemon and the three co-defendants face two main federal counts:

1) Conspiracy to Deprive Civil Rights

Prosecutors cite a Reconstruction-era statute (18 U.S.C. § 241). The allegation is that the group planned to deprive churchgoers of their First Amendment right to freely practice religion. The conspiracy count carries a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

2) FACE Act Charge Related to Places of Worship

The second count alleges a violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances and Places of Religious Worship Act (FACE Act).

The FACE Act was passed in 1994 and is often linked to clinic access cases, but it also covers houses of worship. It bars the use of force, threats, or physical obstruction to interfere with religious practice.

For first-time offenders, penalties can include up to one year in prison and fines, with higher penalties possible if there is injury or major obstruction.

What Federal Officials Are Saying

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon has spoken publicly about the case in interviews and statements after the protest. Dhillon said Don Lemon “definitely broke the FACE Act,” arguing that disrupting a church service fits the law’s limits. She also warned that officials plan to pursue charges against all involved, including journalists who entered the building.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrests on social media. She said the arrests were made “at my direction” in response to what she called a “coordinated attack” on the church.

Lemon is due back in court on February 9, 2026, in federal court in Minneapolis. The case is moving forward in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, where a grand jury has unsealed an indictment.

Prosecutors faced early resistance when a magistrate judge previously declined to issue arrest warrants, citing a lack of probable cause. After an appeal and grand jury action, the case proceeded.

Defense attorneys are expected to raise First Amendment arguments tied to both protest activity and journalism. They may also challenge whether the FACE Act applies to the facts of this incident.

Why This Case Could Shape Future Enforcement

Legal analysts point out that the FACE Act has often been used in cases involving anti-abortion protests. The current enforcement focus highlighted by this case centers on access to religious sites.

That shift could influence how federal law is used when protests move from public spaces into places of worship. The outcome may help define where courts draw the line between protected speech and illegal interference with religious practice.

If convicted, Don Lemon could face significant prison exposure under the conspiracy count, though sentencing outcomes can vary. Pretrial motions, evidence sharing, and possible plea talks could keep the case active for months.

Since the protest, Lemon has stayed active online. On X (formerly Twitter) and on his independent show, he has criticized the DOJ, mocked official statements, and questioned the church’s alleged ties to ICE. He has also accused authorities of selective enforcement.

In one widely shared post, Don Lemon remarked officials receiving “the N-word treatment” when describing what he viewed as government overreach. The comment drew backlash.

Sources close to Don Lemon say he has been frustrated with his career after CNN. They claim he sees high-profile independent coverage as a way to regain mainstream attention, including a possible return to prime-time cable news.

Those claims have not been confirmed by Lemon. What is clear is that his arrest has boosted attention around his reporting, with supporters framing the case as a press freedom fight.

Broader Context: Immigration Tensions and Public Reaction

The protest and arrests come during heightened debate over immigration enforcement. In Minnesota, anti-ICE protests have increased after several high-profile enforcement actions.

City Church officials welcomed the federal charges and said the protest violated a sacred space. Some congregants said they felt threatened during the disruption.

Civil liberties groups, including the ACLU, criticized the arrests and warned about a chilling effect on journalism. They argue reporters should not face criminal liability for covering protests.

Conservative commentators have praised the prosecutions as accountability for what they describe as mob-style tactics inside religious services.

As the case moves forward, it sits at the center of a widening divide over protest rights, religious liberty, and what legal protections apply when demonstrations enter places of worship.

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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