Judge Bars FBI From Examining Washington Post Reporter’s Devices
temporary order halts review of devices seized Jan. 14 from reporter Hannah Natanson amid a probe of Pentagon contractor Aurelio Perez-Lugones; government reply due Jan. 28.
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DeadlineJudge Restricts Government Review Of Washington Post Reporter’s Electronic Devices That Were Seized In FBI Search Of Her Home
Overview
U.S. Magistrate Judge William B. Porter issued a temporary order on Jan. 21, 2026, barring federal prosecutors and the FBI from reviewing materials seized from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson until the court authorizes review, court records show.
The devices were seized in a pre-dawn FBI raid on Jan. 14, 2026, at Natanson's Virginia home in a probe of Pentagon contractor Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones, who was arrested on Jan. 8, court filings show.
The Washington Post called the seizure "outrageous" and sought immediate return, while Justice Department officials said neither Natanson nor The Post is a target, filings and officials said.
The Post says the six seized devices contained more than 30,000 Post emails from the past year, Natanson's encrypted Signal messages with about 1,100 sources, and personal records including medical and financial files, filings say.
Porter ordered the government to file a reply by Jan. 28 and scheduled oral arguments for Feb. 6 to decide whether the search may resume or the devices must be returned, court records show.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources... frame the story as a threat to press freedom, foregrounding the judge's standstill and amplifying Post and advocacy-group claims about unconstitutional prior restraint. They emphasize intrusive seizures and charged language (e.g., "intimidate and retaliate"), prioritize The Post’s detailed account, and offer little government perspective.