Judge Halts FBI Access to Washington Post Reporter’s Devices

A federal judge in Virginia has stopped the FBI from looking at electronic devices taken from Washington Post reporter Tessa Natanson's home. The order came after agents raided her Alexandria place on January 14 as part of a probe into a government contractor charged with keeping classified documents. The ruling protects Natanson's work materials while the case moves forward.

Background

Tessa Natanson covers national security for the Washington Post. She has been reporting on government matters for years. The FBI started watching her in connection with Aurelio Perez-Lugones, a contractor who works with federal agencies. Perez-Lugones got arrested earlier this month. Prosecutors say he broke the Espionage Act by holding onto secret files at his house. He is being held without bail in Maryland while he waits for trial.

Agents believe Perez-Lugones sent classified details to Natanson through messages on his phone. This happened right before his arrest. The government thinks the chats included sensitive information that should have stayed secret. Natanson's role in the story is not clear from court papers. But her devices are now at the center of the fight.

Federal rules usually tell prosecutors to use subpoenas for journalists' records, not search warrants. A 1980 law, the Privacy Protection Act, limits raids on reporters unless there is a big reason. Groups that protect press freedom have spoken out against this search. They say it breaks long-standing protections for news work.

The judge who approved the warrants is Gordon Kromberg. He has handled big cases before, like the one against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Kromberg works in the Eastern District of Virginia, a spot known for national security trials.

Key Details

The FBI got three search warrants. One was for Natanson's home in Alexandria. Another covered her car. The third was for her person. Agents went to her house on January 14 and took several items. They grabbed two MacBook Pro laptops, an iPhone, a Garmin watch, a hard drive, and a Handy Recorder. These are tools Natanson uses for her job every day.

A federal magistrate judge named Porter issued the standstill order. This happened after lawyers for the Post and Natanson asked the court to step in. The lawyers said the raid stops Natanson from doing her work. She cannot reach her sources or get tips. They called it an unconstitutional block on her reporting.

"The government has commandeered Natanson's reporting records and tools, thereby preventing her from contacting her more than 1,100 sources and receiving their tips, and generally impairing her ability to publish the stories she otherwise would have published but for the raid." – Lawyers for the Washington Post and Tessa Natanson

Court records that are now public show some details but others stay sealed. It is not known if agents looked at the devices before the judge's order. The papers do not say if the first judge knew Natanson was a reporter. Or if the Privacy Protection Act played a part in signing off on the warrants.

Perez-Lugones worked on government projects. His job gave him access to secret files. Phone records show he was talking to Natanson around the time of his arrest. Prosecutors say those talks had classified info. A Justice Department official confirmed this but spoke without a name because the case is ongoing.

The Raid and Seizure

Agents showed up at Natanson's door early on January 14. They searched the house and took the listed devices. Natanson's team moved fast to fight back. By Wednesday, they filed papers asking for the data to be returned or locked down. Judge Porter agreed to the halt right away. This keeps everything frozen until a full hearing.

The case highlights tensions between leak probes and press rights. Past raids on journalists are rare. This one has pulled in top lawyers and watchdogs. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has tracked similar fights. They note that warrants like this test the limits of reporter shields.

What This Means

Natanson can keep working for now without her gear in government hands. But she still lacks her laptops and phone. This slows her down. Her sources might hold back tips if they fear more raids. The Post says the search grabs info beyond the probe, like notes on other stories.

For Perez-Lugones, the case goes on. Prosecutors must build their side without the devices for the moment. They claim strong proof from his phone chats. A trial could reveal more about what was shared and why.

Press groups watch closely. A win for Natanson could strengthen rules against searching newsrooms. It might make federal agents think twice before warrants on reporters. If the government pushes back, it could lead to appeals and bigger court fights.

The Justice Department has not said much. Spokespeople skipped questions on the order. But officials stand by their evidence. They see the chats as clear proof of a leak.

This ruling sets a pause in a case that mixes secrets, reporting, and law. Courts will decide next steps soon. Natanson's devices stay off-limits. The probe into Perez-Lugones continues in the background. Reporters across the country take note of how federal power plays out in these situations.

Lawyers expect a hearing in the coming weeks. That will test if the search holds up. Until then, the standstill protects one reporter's work amid a national security push.