Trending Now - Key FBI Agent in Georgia Ballot Case Exempt From Testimony
WHO:
U.S. District Judge JP Boulee, overseeing the Fulton County ballot case.
Anna Bower, Lawfare legal analyst.
Ryan Macias, election technology and security expert.
U.S. District Judge JP Boulee ruled on the subpoena for FBI Agent Hugh Raymond Evans.
Fulton County officials, including attorneys representing the county.
U.S. District Judge JP Boulee
FBI special agent Hugh Raymond Evans
Fulton County officials
President Donald Trump
Thomas Albus, U.S. attorney overseeing the DOJ’s probe into the 2020 vote in Georgia
WHAT:
Fulton County officials claimed Evans' affidavit contained "a multitude of false or misleading statements and omissions."
Fulton County's lawyers argued that the deficiencies cited in the affidavit are common human errors without intentional wrongdoing.
The Justice Department is investigating whether Fulton County properly retained ballot images and if ballots were counted multiple times.
Judge Boulee quashed the subpoena for FBI Agent Hugh Raymond Evans, ruling in favor of the federal government.
Fulton County officials claimed Evans' affidavit "misstated and omitted key facts that if accurately disclosed would have undermined any pretense of probable cause."
The FBI seized 700 boxes containing ballots and other materials associated with the 2020 election from Fulton County's Elections Hub and Operations Center.
Judge Boulee quashed the subpoena for FBI Agent Hugh Raymond Evans, meaning he will not have to testify in the hearing regarding the ballot seizure.
Fulton County has sued the federal government seeking the return of 700 boxes containing ballots and other materials associated with the 2020 election.
The FBI seized the ballots on January 28th, 2026.
Fulton County claimed Evans' affidavit "misstated and omitted key facts" that would undermine probable cause for the search warrant.
WHERE:
Fulton County, Georgia
Fulton County's Elections Hub and Operations Center
WHEN:
The evidentiary hearing was scheduled for Friday, March 27th, 2026.
The FBI seized the ballots on January 28th, 2026.
The evidentiary hearing was scheduled for Friday, March 27th, 2026.
The FBI seized the ballots on January 28th, 2026.
The court-ordered mediation between the two parties was unsuccessful earlier in the week of March 26th, 2026.
WHY:
Fulton County officials believe the FBI's actions demonstrate a "callous disregard" for the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure.
Fulton County officials believe Evans deliberately misled the judge by promoting 2020 election conspiracy theories from one of President Trump's allies to obtain the warrant for the ballots.
Fulton County officials believe Evans deliberately misled the judge by promoting 2020 election conspiracy theories to obtain the search warrant.
The government argued that a hearing could impede the ongoing investigation and involve complex privilege disputes.
HOW:
The Justice Department's filing noted that a federal magistrate judge reviewed the FBI affidavit and signed off on the search warrant.
The Justice Department initially indicated it would not oppose Evans testifying about the affidavit but later changed its position three days prior to the hearing.
The FBI obtained a search warrant based on an affidavit provided by Hugh Raymond Evans to seize the ballots.
The Justice Department initially indicated it would not oppose Evans testifying about the affidavit but later changed its position.
(UPDATED March 27, 2026 19:19 UTC)
U.S. District Judge JP Boulee is presiding over the Fulton County ballot case, where officials have claimed that an affidavit from Evans contains numerous false or misleading statements. Fulton County's lawyers argue that the issues raised in the affidavit are simply common human errors without any intent to deceive, while the Justice Department is investigating whether the county properly retained ballot images and if any ballots were counted multiple times. Fulton County officials have expressed concern that the FBI's actions show a "callous disregard" for Fourth Amendment protections, although a federal magistrate judge did review and approve the search warrant based on the FBI affidavit.
--
(UPDATED March 27, 2026 09:15 UTC)
U.S. District Judge JP Boulee has quashed the subpoena for FBI Agent Hugh Raymond Evans, siding with the federal government in a ruling made during an evidentiary hearing scheduled for March 27, 2026. Fulton County officials argued that Evans' affidavit misrepresented key facts that could have undermined the probable cause for the FBI's seizure of 700 boxes of ballots and materials related to the 2020 election from their Elections Hub on January 28, 2026. Initially, the Justice Department indicated it would allow Evans to testify about the affidavit but reversed that decision just three days before the hearing.
--
(UPDATED March 26, 2026 23:13 UTC)
U.S. District Judge JP Boulee has quashed the subpoena for FBI Agent Hugh Raymond Evans, meaning he will not have to testify in the upcoming hearing regarding the seizure of ballots in Fulton County, Georgia. Fulton County is suing the federal government for the return of 700 boxes of ballots and materials related to the 2020 election, which the FBI seized on January 28, 2026, based on an affidavit from Evans that county officials claim misrepresented key facts. The court-ordered mediation earlier this week was unsuccessful, and the evidentiary hearing is scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2026.