GA senator says Trump lay 'pretext to interfere' with 2026 midterms

Warnock claims FBI raid on Fulton County election facility was part of effort to 'rig the rules' ahead of 2026 vote

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock accused former President Trump of creating a "pretext to interfere" in the 2026 midterm elections following an FBI raid on a Fulton County election facility. Warnock claimed the raid, which saw hundreds of boxes of ballots and voter data confiscated, was part of an effort to "rig the rules" ahead of the next federal elections.

Why it matters

Warnock's allegations raise concerns about potential political interference in future elections, especially given Trump's continued claims of election fraud in Georgia. The raid has fueled distrust in the electoral process and could embolden efforts to undermine voter confidence.

The details

The FBI raid occurred on January 28 at the Fulton County Election Hub in Union City, just south of Atlanta. Investigators initially arrived with an incorrect warrant before seizing more than 600 boxes of ballots, ballot images, and voter rolls. Fulton County Commissioner Mo Ivory, who was present during the raid, said there was little communication with election officials and no measures to prevent tampering with the confiscated materials.

  • The FBI raid occurred on January 28, 2026.
  • Warnock made his allegations during a spotlight hearing on February 27, 2026.

The players

Raphael Warnock

A Democratic senator from Georgia who has accused former President Trump of creating a "pretext to interfere" in the 2026 midterm elections.

Mo Ivory

A Fulton County Commissioner who was present during the FBI raid and expressed concerns about the lack of communication and safeguards to prevent tampering with the confiscated election materials.

Pam Bondi

A former Florida attorney general to whom Warnock and other senators sent a letter demanding evidence and explanation for the Fulton County raid.

Donald Trump

The former president who has continued to contest the results of the 2020 election in Georgia and is accused by Warnock of laying the "pretext to interfere" in the 2026 midterms.

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What they’re saying

“What we're seeing is a preview of what could happen nationally, which is attempted takeovers from multiple angles. I worry about the election workers, who are everyday people coming to work to support their families and feel intimidated just going to work every day.”

— Mo Ivory, Fulton County Commissioner

“They literally said, 'You want ICE out of your community? Hand over your voter rolls.' If you want to end the occupation in your city — and I call it that because there are 600 police officers, over 3000 federal agents. This is their project. They are literally trying to cast doubt on the 2026 elections.”

— Raphael Warnock, U.S. Senator

What’s next

Warnock and other Democratic leaders have vowed to continue demanding answers and evidence from the FBI and the Trump administration regarding the Fulton County raid. They aim to prevent any similar efforts to interfere with or undermine confidence in the 2026 midterm elections.

The takeaway

The allegations made by Senator Warnock highlight the ongoing concerns about political interference in elections, especially given the continued claims of fraud by former President Trump. The Fulton County raid has fueled distrust in the electoral process and could embolden efforts to undermine voter confidence, underscoring the need for robust safeguards and transparency to protect the integrity of future elections.