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Federal judge rejects government’s request to search Washington Post reporter’s devices

Judge Porter ruled he will personally review reporter Natanson’s seized devices, citing risks to over 1,000 confidential sources and First Amendment protections.

  • A federal judge blocked prosecutors from conducting an unsupervised search of devices seized from Washington Post reporter Natanson in a national security case and decided to personally review the materials for evidence.
  • Federal agents seized a phone, two laptops, a recorder, a portable hard drive, and a smartwatch from Natanson's home during a search on January 14.
  • The judge ruled that seizing all of Natanson's electronic work tools hindered First Amendment rights and criticized the government for ignoring the Privacy Protection Act.
  • The case involves a Pentagon contractor charged with leaking classified documents to Natanson, raising concerns among press freedom advocates about Justice Department actions.
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39 Articles

Lean Left

Hannah Nathanson's devices will be reviewed under court supervision to balance the legal protection of journalists with the government's right to seek evidence in national security criminal investigations.

Lean Left

Last January, FBI agents conducted a search at the home of Washington Post journalist Hannah Natanson, unleashing a wave of criticism

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Politico broke the news in on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
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