FBI Searches Washington Post Reporter’s Home in Classified Leak Probe

Agents seized devices from reporter Hannah Natanson as part of an investigation into a Pentagon contractor accused of leaking classified documents, according to The Washington Post.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation searched the Virginia home of Hannah Natanson, a reporter for The Washington Post, as part of an investigation into a Pentagon contractor accused of illegally removing and leaking classified documents.

According to the Post, agents executed a search warrant at Natanson’s home in Alexandria, Virginia, seizing her phone, two laptops including one issued by the newspaper, and a Garmin watch. The search is tied to an investigation into Aurelio Perez-Lugones, a Maryland-based system administrator with top-secret clearance who has been charged with unlawful retention of national defense information. Authorities say classified documents marked “Secret” were found at his home and in his vehicle.

Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the leaker is currently in custody and said the search was conducted after investigators determined the journalist had obtained and reported on classified information illegally leaked by the contractor. Bondi said the Trump administration will not tolerate unauthorized disclosures that endanger national security or U.S. service members.

The Post said it is reviewing the situation. The search follows new Justice Department guidelines issued earlier this year that restored prosecutors’ authority to use subpoenas, court orders, and search warrants in leak investigations, reversing Biden-era protections that limited such actions against journalists.