Judge blocks Justice Department from searching Washington Post reporter's seized devices

2026-02-25 - 10:42

A federal magistrate judge has barred the Justice Department from searching electronic devices seized from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson, ordering the court to conduct its own review of the materials amid a national security investigation. The ruling Tuesday represents a significant rebuke of government handling of journalist records and a victory for press freedom advocates. Details of the Seizure FBI agents raided Natanson's home on January 14 as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified materials. Agents seized her phone, two laptops, a recorder, a portable hard drive, and a Garmin watch. Natanson had reported that federal employees laid off during Trump administration cost-cutting efforts developed nearly 1,200 confidential sources across 120 government agencies.