The Federal Bureau of Investigation has instructed its field offices nationwide to assign more than 200 staff members to the ongoing investigation into the 2020 presidential election in Georgia's Fulton County. A memo obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday reveals that the FBI is calling for a surge of 260 investigative analysts and staff operations specialists to this effort, which is designated as a priority investigation. Each analyst is required to review an estimated 708 records by July 17.
Details of the Memo and Investigation
While the memo does not explicitly outline the nature of the investigation, individuals familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal decision-making, confirmed that the request is intended to support the Georgia 2020 election probe. In January, FBI agents seized hundreds of boxes containing ballots and other documents related to the 2020 election in Fulton County, Georgia's most populous county, which is heavily Democratic and encompasses much of Atlanta. A Fulton County spokesperson declined to comment, citing the pending investigation.
Context of Election Fraud Claims
President Donald Trump and his allies have repeatedly made false assertions that widespread election fraud cost him the 2020 election. Georgia's votes in the 2020 presidential race were counted three times, including once by hand, and each count confirmed Democrat Joe Biden's victory. The Justice Department has previously stated that it is investigating irregularities that occurred during the 2020 presidential election in the county.
Operational Details and Timeline
The memo, first reported by MS NOW, calls for the FBI to surge 260 investigative analysts and staff operations specialists to the investigation. Each of these staffers is to conduct a check of an estimated 708 records by July 17. The FBI has asked its field offices across the country to dedicate more than 200 staffers to this effort, which it described as a priority investigation.
