The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) ordered the deployment of 260 investigative analysts to reinforce an investigation related to the 2020 elections in Fulton County, Georgia, a decision that once again places the allegations of fraud promoted by President Donald Trump, which have been rejected on multiple occasions by courts and electoral authorities, at the center of the debate.

According to information published by The New York Times, based on an internal memo and confirmed by a source close to the case, the operation was classified as a “priority” investigation by FBI Director Kash Patel. Specialists will be tasked with completing around 708 record checks, although so far it has not been specified which documents will be reviewed.

The investigation generates criticism for possible political use

The deployment comes as the Justice Department maintains an open investigation into the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. In January, FBI agents raided an election warehouse in Fulton, where they seized more than 600 boxes of election materials, including the original ballots used during those elections.

However, the investigation has also raised questions because the search warrant was based on an affidavit based, to a large extent, on previously discredited claims about alleged electoral irregularities. Among those who promoted these complaints is Kurt Olsen, a lawyer linked to the Trump administration.

The criticisms did not take long to appear. Robb Pitts, president of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, said he was unaware of the scope of the operation.

"I have no idea, nor have I been notified of any of this. They have had these documents since the end of January, so I have to assume they have already reviewed them," Pitts stated.

For his part, Democratic Senator Mark Warner, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, warned that, if the information is correct, the operation could represent an improper use of federal resources.

“Politicizing federal law enforcement to reopen litigation over an already concluded election risks eroding public trust,” he said in a statement.

Georgia defends electoral system

In contrast, the Secretary of State of Georgia, Brad Raffensperger, once again defended the electoral process in the entity and affirmed that the state elections continue to be among the safest in the country.

“Georgia holds the most secure elections in the country, and our office is prepared to collaborate with any investigation to ensure that votes are cast and counted accurately,” he said.

The memo, first cited by MSNOW, states that analysts must complete all reviews by July 17, including authorizing overtime and weekend work. So far, the FBI has not reported whether the investigation will lead to new charges or relevant findings.