Why Did a Georgia Judge Reverse an Order to Impound and Preserve Voting Machines?

A viral Instagram post from right-wing commentator David Harris, Jr. claimed that a Georgia judge reversing his order for the state of Georgia to “impound and preserve the voting machines in the State of Georgia, and to prevent any wiping of data” is evidence that “SOMEONE HAS THE JUDGES IN THEIR BACK POCKET!”

U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Batten heard a civil suit brought by pro-Trump activists against several Georgia officials, including Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The plaintiffs requested, among other things, that the results of the election be decertified and that Georgia instead certify President Donald Trump as the winner. The plaintiffs also sought a temporary restraining order to “preserve the voting machines in the State of Georgia, and to prevent any wiping of their data.” Batten granted this final request and issued an order stating that the defendants “are temporarily enjoined from wiping or resetting any voting machines.”