The Federal Bureau of Investigation has instructed its field offices nationwide to contribute over 200 personnel to the ongoing investigation into the 2020 election in Fulton County, Georgia.
FBI Memo Details Staff Surge
A memo obtained by the Associated Press on Thursday reveals that the FBI is seeking to "surge" 260 investigative analysts and staff operations specialists for what it terms a "priority investigation." Each staff member is required to examine an estimated 708 records by July 17. While the memo does not specify the nature of the investigation, sources familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the request is connected to the Georgia 2020 election probe.
Seizure of Ballots and Documents
In January, FBI agents seized hundreds of boxes containing ballots and other election-related documents from Fulton County, Georgia's most populous county, which leans heavily Democratic and encompasses most of Atlanta. A spokesperson for Fulton County declined to comment, citing the pending investigation.
The contents of the memo were first reported by MS Now.
Context of Election Fraud Claims
Former President Donald Trump and his allies have repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims that widespread election fraud cost him the 2020 election. In Georgia, votes were counted three times—including a hand recount—and each count confirmed Joe Biden's victory.
The Department of Justice has previously stated it is investigating "irregularities that occurred during the 2020 presidential election in the county."
