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Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Examining Journalist's Devices

Published January 22, 2026, 10:08
Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Examining Journalist's Devices

A US federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from examining electronic devices seized from Washington Post reporter Hannah Nathanson during a raid on her home. Judge William Porter ruled that the Government may retain the devices, but must not examine them until the court approves their examination. The raid on Nathanson's home took place as part of an investigation into the leak of sensitive information regarding US “national security”. The Washington Post described the raid as “rare” and “aggressive”, as it is unusual for raids to be carried out on journalists. The reporter’s phone, two laptops, and a Garmin watch were seized. The newspaper asked the court to order the immediate return of the devices and to prevent their use by the authorities, arguing that any other decision would encourage future raids against editors and establish censorship through search warrants. Nathanson had been reporting on public officials who faced a storm during the first year of Donald Trump's second term. FBI agents stated that the target of the investigation was not the journalist herself, but Aurelio Perez-Lugones, who is accused of leaking classified documents.