Karoline Leavitt calls out media over Fulton FBI seizures after pushing Russia claims

WASHINGTON, DC: Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back forcefully at reporters questioning the FBI’s seizure of ballots and documents tied to the 2020 election in Fulton County, Georgia, accusing the media of applying a double standard after years of promoting claims of Russian election interference.

Leavitt made the remarks during a White House press briefing after journalists pressed her on whether the FBI’s recent operation in the Atlanta area had uncovered any evidence of foreign involvement. She argued that the same media outlets now expressing skepticism had long advanced narratives about Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential election.

The exchange followed reports that the FBI executed a search warrant in January at a Georgia residence connected to election-related materials, with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard present during the operation.

Karoline Leavitt pushes back on media over Fulton County raid

At the briefing, Leavitt said Gabbard’s presence in Fulton County was directly tied to her official responsibilities overseeing election security.

“As the director of national intelligence, it is a part of Miss Gabbard’s role to make sure that American elections are free of foreign interference and that American elections are safe and secure,” Leavitt said.

At the briefing, Leavitt said Gabbard’s presence in Fulton County was directly tied to her official responsibilities overseeing election security.

“As the director of national intelligence, it is a part of Miss Gabbard’s role to make sure that American elections are free of foreign interference and that American elections are safe and secure,” Leavitt said.

She added that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is coordinating with the FBI on the effort and emphasized that President Donald Trump supports both FBI Director Kash Patel and Gabbard in the investigation.

“And so the ODNI director is working with the FBI on this effort, and the president wholeheartedly supports both Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard in ensuring that American elections are safe, secure, and free of foreign intervention,” Leavitt said.

When a reporter asked whether there was any indication of outside involvement, Leavitt initially moved on before returning to the question and criticizing the media’s past coverage.

“Excuse me one second. It’s the media who has said that there’s Russian interference in American elections. You guys have been saying that for many, many years,” Leavitt shot back.

Russia claims resurface in press briefing exchange 

Leavitt went on to argue that journalists should welcome an investigation into potential foreign interference given their prior reporting.

“The people in this room, considering that you all said for many years that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump, you should all be very happy that we finally have an administration that is looking into that, and we’ll be happy to keep you posted,” she said.

The comments revived long-running disputes over the legacy of the Russia investigation.

In March 2019, Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded his probe into whether Trump’s 2016 campaign coordinated with Russia to win the election. Mueller’s final report found that investigators did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government. 

Tulsi Gabbard’s presence draws scrutiny

Gabbard’s appearance at the Atlanta-area FBI operation prompted questions from some officials and commentators about why the nation’s top intelligence official was at the scene.

White House and administration representatives said she accompanied agents as part of her duties related to safeguarding elections.

Trump has also publicly defended Gabbard, saying she did a good job in carrying out her responsibilities.