{"id":2547171,"date":"2026-01-22T01:07:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T06:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-bars-fbi-from-probing-washington-post-reporters-electronics-8\/"},"modified":"2026-01-22T01:08:50","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T06:08:50","slug":"judge-bars-fbi-from-probing-washington-post-reporters-electronics-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-bars-fbi-from-probing-washington-post-reporters-electronics-8\/","title":{"rendered":"Judge bars FBI from probing Washington Post reporter&#8217;s electronics"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjudge-bars-fbi-from-probing-washington-post-reporters-electronics-8%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2547171&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-bars-fbi-from-probing-washington-post-reporters-electronics-3\/\" title=\"... from probing ... re...s ...\">federal magistrate judge temporarily barred<\/a> the FBI from reviewing electronics seized from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson,though the agency may retain the items. U.S.Magistrate Judge William B. Porter&#8217;s two-page order allows the FBI to keep Natanson&#8217;s two phones, two laptops, a recorder, a portable hard drive, and a Garmin watch but prohibits examination of their contents until a scheduled hearing. The devices were seized under a search warrant last week in an inquiry of Pentagon contractor Aurelio Perez-Lugones, who is accused of <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >unlawfully <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-bars-fbi-from-probing-washington-post-reporters-electronics\/\" title=\"... from probing ... re...s ...\">retaining classified national defense materials<\/a><\/a> and was allegedly communicating with Natanson. The Washington Post asked the court to force the return of the equipment, arguing the seizure violated First Amendment protections for journalists; the Justice Department must respond by Jan.28. Attorney General pam Bondi has publicly accused Natanson of reporting on classified information from the contractor; the FBI had no comment in the article.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Judge bars FBI from reviewing seized Washington Post reporter&rsquo;s electronics<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2472921\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/judges\/\">federal judge<\/a> on Wednesday temporarily declined to allow <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fbi\/\">the FBI<\/a> to examine electronics it seized from a <em>Washington Post <\/em>reporter&rsquo;s home.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>U.S. Magistrate Judge William B. Porter ruled the agency is permitted to keep Hannah Natanson&rsquo;s two phones, two laptops, a recorder, a portable hard drive, and a Garmin watch that <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4427832\/washington-post-demand-fbi-return-electronics-seized-hannah-natanson-raid\/\">it seized from her residence <\/a>last week. However, the FBI is not allowed to review the items, Porter wrote in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/26499412-govuscourtsvaed588772180\/\">a two-page ruling <\/a>filed in federal district court for the Eastern District of Virginia.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4428512\/judge-abused-discretion-ordering-trump-fund-environmental-groups\/\">Judge &#8216;abused its discretion&#8217; by ordering Trump to fund environmental groups, appeals court says<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4427495\/what-is-face-act-federal-charges-minnesota-church-protest\/\">What is the FACE Act? Federal charges for Minnesota church protest could come by Sunday<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4427832\/washington-post-demand-fbi-return-electronics-seized-hannah-natanson-raid\/\">Washington Post demands FBI return electronics seized during raid on reporter&rsquo;s house<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The FBI is not permitted to investigate the electronics until at least early next month, when a hearing is scheduled on the case. The agency obtained them last week by executing a search warrant. It sought to investigate the items as part of an inquiry into a Pentagon contractor accused of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bidens-so-called-cooperation-with-the-fbi-both-meaningless-and-misleading\/\" title=\"Biden\u2019s So-called \u201cCooperation\u201d With The ... Both Meaningless And Misleading\">illegally retaining classified documents<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>But the <em>Washington Post<\/em> swiftly filed a court motion asking Porter to force the FBI to return the electronics to Natanson. The outlet warned that the seizure &ldquo;flouts the First Amendment and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-bars-fbi-from-probing-washington-post-reporters-electronics-2\/\" title=\"... from probing ... re...s ...\">ignores federal statutory safeguards<\/a> for journalists.&rdquo; It was that motion that Porter weighed in on during his ruling Wednesday. The judge ordered the Department of Justice to respond to the <em>Washington Post&rsquo;s <\/em>filings by Jan. 28.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The case began after the DOJ accused Aurelio Perez-Lugones, a system administrator in Maryland who has a top-secret security clearance, of retaining classified national defense materials. A DOJ official said the suspect was messaging Natanson when he was arrested earlier this month, according to the <em>Washington Post<\/em>, which also reported that Natanson said she communicated with Perez-Lugones through Signal and phone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Attorney General Pam Bondi has accused Natanson of reporting on classified information she garnered from Perez-Lugones.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4427290\/trump-zelensky-russia-envoys-travel-negotiations\/\"><strong>RUSSIA-UKRAINE PEACE EFFORTS REVIVED AS TRUMP MEETS WITH ZELENSKY AND DISPATCHES WITKOFF TO MOSCOW<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Department of Justice and FBI executed a search warrant at the home of a Washington Post journalist who was obtaining and reporting classified and illegally leaked information from a Pentagon contractor,&rdquo; Bondi said <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AGPamBondi\/status\/2011456849711612019?s=20\">in a post<\/a> to X.&nbsp;&ldquo;The leaker is currently behind bars. I am proud to work alongside Secretary Hegseth on this effort. The Trump Administration will not tolerate illegal leaks of classified information that, when reported, pose a grave risk to our Nation&rsquo;s national security and the brave men and women who are serving our country.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to the FBI for comment but did not receive a reply.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Judge blocks FBI from inspecting Post reporter devices<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2547172,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26014523261292-e1768404983254.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[33740,45262,50645,44205,32293],"class_list":["post-2547171","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-court-ruling","tag-digital-privacy","tag-fbi-2","tag-press-freedom","tag-washington-post"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26014523261292-e1768404983254.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2547171","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2547171"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2547171\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2547179,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2547171\/revisions\/2547179"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2547172"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2547171"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2547171"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2547171"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}