Trump officials sue Georgia county to force release of 2020 voting records

December 13, 2025

The Trump administration's Justice Department has initiated legal action against Fulton County, Georgia, demanding access to voting materials from the 2020 presidential election, including ballots, stubs, and signature envelopes. The lawsuit accuses the county of violating the Civil Rights Act by refusing to comply with a subpoena issued in October, with county officials stating the materials are sealed and require a court order for release. This legal move continues Trump's longstanding claims that the 2020 election was fraudulent, despite his narrow loss to Joe Biden in Georgia being confirmed through multiple reviews and all previous legal challenges being rejected by courts.

Who is affected

Fulton County, Georgia and its election officials
The Trump administration and the Justice Department
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and his office
Former Fulton County prosecutor Fani Willis
Voters in Georgia and Fulton County
Donald Trump and Joe Biden

What action is being taken

The Justice Department is filing/pursuing a lawsuit against Fulton County
The government is seeking access to 2020 election records including ballots, stubs, signature envelopes, and digital files
The Justice Department is investigating compliance with federal election law

Why it matters

This lawsuit represents a significant escalation in Trump's continued efforts to challenge the 2020 election results, now using federal government resources and the power of the Justice Department to pursue claims that have been repeatedly rejected by courts. The action is particularly significant because it targets Fulton County, which was central to previous legal battles over Georgia's election results and where Trump previously faced criminal charges for election interference. The case raises concerns about the potential misuse of federal law enforcement to pursue partisan political objectives and could set precedents for how future administrations handle election disputes.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC