Fulton County, Georgia, is challenging a federal subpoena demanding the names, addresses, and contact information of thousands of 2020 election workers. The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued the subpoena in April as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in the county's 2020 election. In a motion filed Monday, Fulton County officials argued that the subpoena is overly broad and risks exposing workers to harassment. They also claimed it represents an unreasonable federal intrusion into state-run election processes.
The dispute stems from a broader DOJ and FBI investigation into Fulton County's handling of the 2020 election, which President Donald Trump narrowly lost. Federal agents executed a search warrant in January at a Fulton County elections facility, seizing ballots and related materials. The DOJ has defended its use of the criminal process, arguing it imposes a higher legal standard than civil requests and reflects the seriousness of the inquiry.
Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts called the subpoena an act of "outrageous federal overreach" designed to intimidate election workers. The county's motion to quash the subpoena argues that the investigation lacks a legitimate basis and that the statute of limitations for any alleged crime has expired. The DOJ has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The subpoena marks an expanded effort by the DOJ to investigate the 2020 election, which has remained a focus of Trump's since his loss. The county's motion also alleges that the subpoena is part of a broader effort to target and harass Trump's perceived political enemies. The case is ongoing in federal court.