"The newspaper argued the search violated the reporter’s constitutional rights."
"A federal judge rejected the Department of Justice’s demand to continue its search of a Washington Post reporter’s phone and other electronic devices for information that might help an FBI investigation into the leaking of classified information.
U.S. Magistrate Judge William Porter declined in his Thursday ruling to require the DOJ to return equipment seized from the home of reporter Hannah Natanson in January, saying the court would review her devices for any material relevant to the government’s investigation.
“Given the documented reporting on government leak investigations and the government’s well-chronicled efforts to stop them, allowing the government’s filter team to search a reporter’s work product—most of which consists of unrelated information from confidential sources—is the equivalent of leaving the government’s fox in charge of the Washington Post’s henhouse,” Porter wrote.
The newspaper welcomed the ruling on a case that has been closely watched by press freedom groups, who reacted with alarm at the search of Natanson’s home and the seizure of her devices."
Jacob Wendler reports for Politico February 24, 2026.
SEE ALSO:
Editorial: "The Post Prevailed In Court. Yet The Damage Is Done." (Washington Post)
"Judge Who Allowed FBI To Search Washington Post Reporter’s Home Rips Into Justice Department" (CNN)
