Fulton County official raises alarm over Tulsi Gabbard’s role in FBI search of election records
ATLANTA, GEORGIA: A senior Fulton County official said on Wednesday, February 4, that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's presence during an FBI search of county election records last week suggested that the federal action could involve more than routine law enforcement activity.
The county officials even filed a court motion for the return of 2020 ballots seized by the FBI.
The remarks came as county leaders moved to recover hundreds of boxes of 2020 election materials seized by federal agents, arguing that the scope and secrecy of the operation had raised serious concerns.
County Chairman Robb Pitts questions federal motives
Fulton County Board of Commissioners Chairman Robb Pitts told reporters that Gabbard’s involvement in the search indicated that the operation was “bigger than just the confiscation of records.”
Pitts said that her appearance alongside FBI agents led him to believe that the matter could involve broader objectives beyond standard evidence collection.
“When you have the director of national intelligence showing up, it leads any rational person to think something more is going on,” Pitts said. “There’s something bigger here than just the FBI taking documents.”
According to county officials, the FBI removed the materials without leaving copies, a departure from standard practice that had complicated record-keeping and legal compliance.
“They showed up and took the boxes they wanted, and we were left without copies,” Pitts said. “We don’t know where they are, what’s being done with them, or when or if they’re coming back.”
Pitts warned that the dispute extended beyond Fulton County and could set a precedent affecting election administration nationwide.
BREAKING: Fulton County files motion seeking return of 2020 ballots seized by FBI.
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) February 4, 2026
Fulton County chairman Robb Pitts states: "We don't know where they are. We don't know who has them.... they could be tampered with. We want to get them back to do an inventory..."
They are… pic.twitter.com/OzAncFjJd9
He said that the federal seizure raised questions about the balance of authority between local election officials and federal agencies.
“This is not just about Fulton County,” Pitts said. “It’s about elections across Georgia and across the country.”
Tulsi Gabbard defends her involvement
Gabbard has faced scrutiny from lawmakers over her presence at the search.
In a letter to the top Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees, she explained that her role as director of national intelligence included broad oversight responsibilities related to election security.
She even claimed that her presence was requested by the president.
Contrary to the blatantly false and slanderous accusations being made against me by Members of Congress and their friends in the propaganda media, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence has and will continue to take action under my statutory authorities to secure our… pic.twitter.com/eX4Kdnp8oU
— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) February 3, 2026
Gabbard wrote, “I will share our intelligence assessments with Congress once they are complete.”
Gabbard wrote that her Fulton County call was a courtesy, allowing Trump to thank FBI agents, and clarified neither she nor Trump sought information or influence.
Gabbard defended her involvement, saying that it was tied to ensuring that US elections were protected from potential foreign interference, rather than directing or participating in the FBI’s investigative actions.
