{"id":2573680,"date":"2026-02-25T17:44:59","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T22:44:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-bars-doj-search-of-washington-post-reporters-devices\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T17:48:02","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T22:48:02","slug":"judge-bars-doj-search-of-washington-post-reporters-devices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-bars-doj-search-of-washington-post-reporters-devices\/","title":{"rendered":"Judge bars DOJ search of Washington Post reporter\u2019s devices"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><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-doj-search-of-washington-post-reporters-devices%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=2573680&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 federal magistrate judge in virginia barred the Justice Department from searching the electronic devices seized from washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson, ordering that the materials be reviewed through an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hunter-bidens-indictment-complicates-reelection\/\" title=\"Biden&#039;s son&#039;s indictment hampers reelection.\">independent judicial process<\/a> instead of by a DOJ filter team. The FBI had seized Natanson\u2019s phone,laptops,a Garmin watch,and portable hard drives as part of an inquiry into a goverment contractor accused of distributing classified data. The judge,William Porter,saeid allowing government attorneys to screen the devices would risk bias and undermine press freedom,likening it to \u201cleaving the government\u2019s fox in charge of the Washington Post\u2019s henhouse.\u201d He declined to immediately return the devices,noting that the case involves top-secret material that must be safeguarded,with a decision on return to be persistent later. Porter also criticized prosecutors for not citing the Privacy Protection Act of 1980 in their warrant application,while DOJ contends the search was lawful and necessary and that the First Amendment does not create a journalist\u2019s exception to warrants.  <\/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\">DOJ barred from searching Washington Post reporter&rsquo;s seized devices<\/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_2514899\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A federal judge has, for now, barred the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\">Justice Department<\/a> from searching the electronic devices of a <em>Washington Post<\/em> reporter that were seized by the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4413620\/fbi-names-agent-dan-bongino-replacement-deputy-director\/\">FBI<\/a> last month, ruling instead that the court will conduct its own review of the materials.<\/p>\n<p>U.S. Magistrate Judge William Porter of Virginia wrote in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/documents\/820e7a03-efb5-4c3c-a02b-d9b5a48ef737.pdf\">decision<\/a> late Tuesday that the court &ldquo;will conduct an independent judicial review of the seized materials,&rdquo; rejecting the government&rsquo;s request to allow a DOJ filter team to examine the devices for evidence tied to a classified-leaks investigation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4471956\/biden-judge-strikes-third-country-deportation-high-court-allowed\/\">Biden judge strikes down &#8216;third country&#8217; deportations after Supreme Court approval<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4471850\/woman-pleads-guilty-stealing-millions-feeding-our-future\/\">Minnesota woman pleads guilty to stealing millions through Feeding our Future fraud<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4471969\/fbi-raids-home-la-unified-school-district-superintendent-alberto-carvalho\/\">FBI raids home and office of Los Angeles superintendent Alberto Carvalho<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The FBI on Jan. 14 seized reporter Hannah Natanson&rsquo;s phone, laptops, Garmin watch, and portable hard drives as part of an investigation into a government contractor who was later charged with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pentagon-leaker-jack-teixeira-sentenced-to-15-years-in-prison-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Pentagon leaker Jack Teixeira sentenced to 15 years in prison - Washington Examiner\">disseminating classified information<\/a>. The seizure drew sharp criticism from press freedom advocates, who warned it could chill confidential sourcing.<\/p>\n<p>Porter, who <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4428767\/judge-fbi-review-washington-post-reporter-electronics\/\">previously blocked the FBI<\/a> from searching Natanson&rsquo;s devices, wrote that allowing government attorneys to screen the materials themselves would be akin to &ldquo;leaving the government&rsquo;s fox in charge of the Washington Post&rsquo;s henhouse,&rdquo; citing concerns that mistakes or institutional bias could jeopardize press freedoms.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, the judge declined the <em>Washington Post<\/em>&rsquo;s request to immediately return Natanson&rsquo;s devices, noting that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/canadian-troops-arrested-over-alleged-plot-to-take-over-part-of-the-country\/\" title=\"Canadian Troops Arrested Over Alleged Plot to Take Over Part of the Country\">case involves &#038;ldquo<\/a>;<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >top secret national security information&#038;rdquo<\/a>; that must be safeguarded before any materials can be released back to her. A decision on whether the devices can be returned to the reporter will be &ldquo;reserved for future proceedings,&rdquo; the judge wrote.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;No easy remedy exists here,&rdquo; Porter said, adding that the seizure effectively cut Natanson off from her reporting tools and confidential sources. He called the government&rsquo;s suggestion that she simply replace her devices and start over &ldquo;unjust and unreasonable.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4418375\/fbi-searches-washington-post-reporters-home\/\">FBI SEARCHES WASHINGTON POST REPORTER&rsquo;S HOME<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Porter also faulted prosecutors for failing to reference the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/archives\/jm\/criminal-resource-manual-661-privacy-protection-act-1980\">Privacy Protection Act of 1980 <\/a>in their warrant application, a law that limits the government&rsquo;s ability to seize journalists&rsquo; work product when the reporter is not suspected of wrongdoing. The omission, he wrote, &ldquo;seriously undermined the Court&rsquo;s confidence&rdquo; in the government&rsquo;s disclosures.<\/p>\n<p>DOJ has defended the search as lawful and necessary to investigate a damaging leak, arguing that the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/first-amendment\/\">First Amendment<\/a> does not create &ldquo;a journalist&rsquo;s exception to search warrants.&rdquo;<\/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 bars DOJ from searching Post reporter&#8217;s devices<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2573681,"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":[33651],"tags":[5157,69807,71616],"class_list":["post-2573680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-journalism","tag-legal-news-2","tag-press-freedom-2"],"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\/2573680","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\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2573680"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2573680\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2573684,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2573680\/revisions\/2573684"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2573681"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2573680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2573680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2573680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}