Attorney General Pam Bondi’s DOJ has executed an unprecedented FBI raid on a Washington Post reporter’s home, seizing personal devices in what press freedom advocates are calling a dangerous escalation against First Amendment protections.
Story Highlights
- FBI raided Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson’s Virginia home, seizing phones, laptops, and smartwatch
- AG Pam Bondi reversed Biden-era protections for journalists in April 2025, enabling aggressive leak investigations
- Raid connected to Pentagon contractor accused of mishandling classified documents about federal workforce changes
- Press freedom groups condemn action as unprecedented home search of non-suspect journalist
DOJ Executes Aggressive Home Search Operation
On January 14, 2026, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson’s Virginia residence, confiscating her personal phone, work and personal laptops, and smartwatch. The raid occurred as part of a DOJ investigation into Pentagon contractor Aurelio Perez-Lugones, who faces charges for unlawfully retaining classified materials. Bondi defended the action on social media, claiming Natanson reported “illegally leaked” classified information, though neither she nor The Post are targets of the investigation.
Bondi Policy Reversal Enables Media Crackdown
The raid follows Attorney General Bondi’s April 2025 decision to rescind Biden-era guidelines that protected journalists from federal searches of their phone records in leak cases. This policy reversal removed crucial safeguards that previously limited DOJ’s ability to target media personnel. The 1980 Privacy Protection Act generally prohibits searches of journalists’ materials unless they are suspected of crimes, but the Trump administration appears to be exploiting exceptions tied to national security investigations.
Pentagon Contractor Mishandled Sensitive Intelligence
Perez-Lugones, a Maryland-based system administrator with top-secret clearance, allegedly printed unauthorized classified documents and took notes on sensitive intelligence reports about government activities. The contractor stored these materials inappropriately in his lunchbox and basement, according to DOJ charges. His position provided access to classified information during Trump’s second-term federal workforce overhaul, which Natanson extensively covered as part of her reporting beat on federal employee issues.
Unprecedented Escalation Against Press Freedom
Unlike previous leak investigations that targeted phone or email records, this raid represents the first documented full home search of a non-suspect American journalist. Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray called the action “extraordinary and aggressive,” raising “profound questions” about constitutional protections. Knight First Amendment Institute Executive Director Jameel Jaffer warned the raid bears “hallmarks of illiberal regimes” and risks normalizing dangerous precedents against press freedom. The operation occurred despite Perez-Lugones already being in custody, raising questions about the necessity of seizing a journalist’s personal devices.
Sources:
Highly unusual and aggressive: FBI raids Washington Post journalist’s home
FBI raids Washington Post reporter’s home in leak investigation
FBI raids Washington Post reporter home
Washington Post reporter raided by FBI
