FBI Raids Washington Post Reporter’s Home, Seizes Electronics in Classified Probe

Federal agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation searched the Virginia home of Hannah Natanson, a reporter for The Washington Post, on Wednesday and seized multiple electronic devices as part of a criminal investigation involving classified government materials.

The raid, executed under a search warrant, targeted Natanson’s residence in Northern Virginia. Agents confiscated her phone, two laptops — one personal and one provided by her employer — and a smartwatch, according to reporting by U.S. media.

Officials say the search was connected to a probe into a government contractor, Aurelio Perez-Lugones, who is accused of unlawfully retaining classified national defense information. Although Natanson is not considered a target of the investigation, law enforcement found evidence suggesting she had communicated with the contractor about sensitive material.

The Washington Post condemned the action as “extraordinary” and expressed deep concern that such a raid could undermine protections for journalists and their confidential sources. Press freedom advocates warn that seizing a reporter’s devices and searching their home poses a serious threat to independent journalism and could discourage whistleblowers and sources from coming forward.

U.S. Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi backed the raid as necessary for national security, stressing a firm stance against leaks of classified information. Critics argue the move marks an escalation of government pressure on the press and blurs constitutional safeguards intended to protect free expression and journalistic work.

The incident has ignited widespread debate about press freedom in the United States, with journalists, legal experts and civil liberties groups calling for clarity on the legal basis for such intrusive searches and reaffirming the vital role of a free press in democratic accountability.