Federal Judge Blocks Government’s Bid to Search Washington Post Reporter’s Devices

Federal authorities seized two laptops, a mobile phone, a portable hard drive, a recording device, and an exercise watch during the raid.

The Washington Post Building at One Franklin Square Building in Washington on June 5, 2024. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

A federal judge on Feb. 24 denied a government request to search a Washington Post reporter’s electronic devices seized during a January raid in connection with its investigation into a national security leak.

The order came after the federal authorities executed a search warrant at the residence of Washington Post journalist Hannah Natanson on Jan. 14. Authorities said the search warrant was part of an investigation into a national security leak.