Washington Post demands government return electronics seized in raid of reporter’s home

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Jeremy Barr in WashingtonJanuary 21, 2026 at 08:34 PM

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The Washington Post has filed motions in a Virginia federal court demanding the immediate return of electronics seized from reporter Hannah Natanson's home during a recent raid. The seizure, which included laptops, phones, and a watch, is connected to an investigation of Aurelio Perez-Lugones, a government contractor accused of unlawfully retaining national defense information. The Post argues the seizure chills speech, cripples reporting, and violates Natanson's constitutional rights, requesting the government be barred from reviewing the data. Press freedom groups, including the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, have condemned the raid as an unprecedented and inappropriate action that threatens public interest reporting, urging the unsealing of related judicial records.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Maryland 40% Virginia ×250% Bruce D Brown 55% Trump administration 60% Aurelio Perez-Lugones 65% United States ×270% Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press 75% Hannah Natanson ×485% Washington Post ×590%

Keywords

reporter's home raid 100% government seizure 90% washington post 80% press freedom 80% newsgathering materials 70% hannah natanson 70% search warrant 60% classified materials 60% first amendment 50% prior restraint 50%