When the FBI arrived at a warehouse in Fulton County, Georgia, in January to seize hundreds of boxes of 2020 election records, County Commissioner Dana Barrett saw more than a criminal investigation—she perceived political theater.

More than five years have passed since the election. The results have been verified through multiple investigations, recounts, and audits. Yet the false narrative that the 2020 election was stolen continues to spread.

The 'Stop the Steal' movement, once a fringe effort, has now placed its most ardent supporters in positions of significant power. This includes roles on Georgia’s State Election Board, a critical body in the swing state. One lawyer, known for pursuing long-shot election cases, has transitioned from a little-known private attorney to a White House position overseeing election integrity—despite being sanctioned by a court for making 'unequivocally false' claims about voting.

Meanwhile, grassroots members of the movement are pushing to alter what they believe is a flawed system, risking unintended consequences that could undermine election processes.

This week on Reveal, Mother Jones reporter Abby Vesoulis and Reveal’s Najib Aminy explore how the lingering doubts about the 2020 election are being exploited and what this means for the upcoming 2026 midterms.