Georgia Today – Episode Summary January 29, 2026

Main Theme:
This episode of Georgia Today, hosted by Peter Biello, centers on the FBI’s recent seizure of hundreds of boxes of 2020 Fulton County election ballots, the ensuing political and legal debates, ongoing ICE protests in Macon, and an impending winter storm. The episode presents detailed analysis and interviews about the FBI raid’s impact on trust in elections, bipartisan reactions, and broader consequences for both state and national politics.

FBI Seizes Fulton County Election Ballots

The Seizure and Immediate Reactions

• FBI Operation:
  The FBI seized hundreds of boxes of Fulton County’s 2020 election ballots and other electoral records during a search at an election warehouse in Union City.
  [00:02–00:59]

• Context:
  President Trump has long alleged voter fraud in Fulton County, although multiple audits have already validated the county’s election results.

• Local Official Response:
  Fulton County Board Chair Rob Pitts publicly questioned the continued security of the ballots:

  "I can no longer, as chair of this board, satisfy not only the citizens of Atlanta, but the citizens of the world that those ballots are still secure. So that is a major concern that I have right now."
  (Rob Pitts, 01:19)

  Pitts affirmed the county’s commitment to resisting what they see as unjustified federal intervention:

  "This is by no means over and we're grateful for everyone around the country who is in this fight with us."
  (Rob Pitts, 01:45)

State & Political Reaction

• Lawmakers’ Divided Response:

  • Democrats: Atlanta Rep. Saira Draper called the seizure "a full on attack on democracy."
    (Sarah Kalis, 02:10)
  • Republicans: Rep. Victor Anderson expressed faith in the judicial process, framing it as:

    "The lawful execution of a lawfully obtained federal search warrant."
    (Victor Anderson, 02:27)

• Ongoing Uncertainty:
  The FBI has not said what will be done with the seized ballots.
  Multiple audits continue to affirm the accuracy of Georgia’s 2020 results.

Interview: Election Integrity Implications

Guest: David Becker, Executive Director, Center for Election Innovation and Research

“Why Now?” and the DOJ’s Motives

• Becker is perplexed by the timing—over five years after the 2020 election, and a year after Trump's second inauguration:

  "That election has withstood scrutiny unlike any election in world history has seen... And now, over five years later, we see the Department of Justice come in requesting evidence, and it's very clear there's no crime that was committed."
  (David Becker, 03:23)

• Becker suspects the move is political, not judicial:

  "If anything, there was a great achievement that's been done. But unfortunately, this is going to fuel further disinformation and, unfortunately, distrust of our election system."
  (David Becker, 03:47)

Legal and Practical Implications

• On whether the raid has a legal goal:

  "I think the end goal is not to use this evidence in any kind of proceeding...there's a real question as to whether or not the DOJ has retained chain of custody...which tells you that this is probably not about introducing evidence in court."
  (David Becker, 04:41)

• On likely political exploitation:

  "We might see in the next few days or weeks claims that they found something. But they'll be put out just on social media and in press conference and on friendly media and ask yourself if they found something, why haven't they brought it to court?"
  (David Becker, 05:47)

Consequences for 2026 Elections & Public Trust

• Becker predicts increased disinformation in the run-up to the general election, especially from the federal executive branch:

  "If you think you're going to win an election, you don't devalue or delegitimize that election in advance...But if you think you're going to lose an election, that's when you start seeing disinformation being spread."
  (David Becker, 06:07)

• Reassures listeners about Georgia’s election quality:

  "Georgia runs exceptionally good elections and their voter lists are exceptionally clean. Really state of the art, the gold standard of voter lists and elections, thanks to the professionals."
  (David Becker, 06:45)

Potential Federal or State Takeovers?

• Dismisses possibility of federal executive branch assuming local election control:

  "The Constitution is very clear...state legislatures regulate elections. Congress can also regulate elections, but the executive branch, the president has no authority over elections whatsoever."
  (David Becker, 07:30)

ICE Protests in Macon

• Public Demonstrations:
  Hundreds protested outside Macon’s federal courthouse against ICE, citing erosion of equal protection and due process rights.

  "I've never been to a protest before in my life. I'm looking at the equal protection under the law and our due process rights being eroded before my eyes on a daily basis. This can't continue and us have a free country."
  (Jeremy Etheridge, 08:25)

• Protests Expected to Continue:
  Demonstrations, including at high schools in metro Atlanta, are to resume Friday.
  [08:38]

Political & Weather Updates

ICE & Federal Funding

[09:07]

• Ongoing congressional deadlock over Department of Homeland Security and ICE funding risks a partial government shutdown.
• Senator Jon Ossoff blames Senate Republicans for tying ICE funding to the bill:

  "There are the votes in the Senate right now to pass funding bills for the overwhelming majority of federal agencies..."
  (Jon Ossoff, 09:32)

Winter Storm Watch

• Plow and brine operations are scheduled across East-Central Georgia as Athens, Augusta, and Gainesville face a storm watch.
  [09:52]

Legislative Investigations

• Senate committee wraps up a two-year Fulton County probe, driven by tension over upcoming statewide elections:

  "There are going to be people spreading all over the state campaigning and fundraising."
  (Committee Chair Bill Koussert, 10:39)

Campaign Finance Laws

• Judge denies Secretary of State Raffensperger’s request to lift fundraising caps, increasing election law tensions ahead of the gubernatorial race.
  [10:50]

Other Notable Stories

• Norfolk Southern Merger:
  Atlanta-based railroad’s merger with Union Pacific delayed, profit down due to regulatory hurdles.
  [10:50–11:10]

• Southern Literature Prize:
  Poet Kevin Young receives Mercer University’s Thomas Robinson Prize.
  [11:10–11:20]

• Atlanta United:
  Brad Guzan becomes the team’s club ambassador and sporting advisor following his retirement.
  [11:20–11:38]

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• "I can no longer, as chair of this board, satisfy...that those ballots are still secure." (Rob Pitts, 01:19)
• "This is by no means over and we're grateful for everyone around the country who is in this fight with us." (Rob Pitts, 01:45)
• "A full on attack on democracy." (Rep. Saira Draper, 02:10)
• "The lawful execution of a lawfully obtained federal search warrant." (Rep. Victor Anderson, 02:27)
• "That election has withstood scrutiny unlike any election in world history has seen." (David Becker, 03:23)
• "Georgia runs exceptionally good elections and their voter lists are exceptionally clean. Really state of the art." (David Becker, 06:45)
• "I've never been to a protest before in my life...This can't continue and us have a free country." (Jeremy Etheridge, 08:25)
• "There are the votes in the Senate right now to pass funding bills for the overwhelming majority of federal agencies." (Jon Ossoff, 09:32)

Conclusion

This episode delivers comprehensive coverage of the FBI’s ballot seizure in Fulton County, highlights legal and political implications for elections and faith in democracy, describes ongoing community activism against ICE, and provides key statewide news updates. Through direct interviews, official statements, and expert analysis, Georgia Today offers a nuanced look at the intersection of federal intervention, local confidence, political rhetoric, and activism in Georgia.