FBI search of devices seized from Washington Post reporter halted.
A US federal judge has ordered the FBI to stop searching devices seized from a Washington Post reporter's home, while the court reviews motions filed by the Post and the journalist, Hannah Natanson. The order grants a "standstill" motion, which prevents the review of the materials pending judicial resolution.
Natanson was not the subject of investigation but had her work and personal devices seized last week as part of an FBI probe into alleged leaks by a Pentagon contractor. The Post had filed motions to force the return of Natanson's property and to prevent the government from reviewing the seized devices until the court rules on whether they must be returned.
The judge, William Porter, stated that "almost none" of the data seized was responsive to the warrant, which sought only records received from or relating to a single government contractor. The materials, he said, are protected by the First Amendment and attorney-client privilege.
The Post argued that the search and seizure of Natanson's reporting materials constituted an unconstitutional prior restraint on expressive activity. "The government must preserve but must not review any of the materials that law enforcement seized pursuant to search warrants," Porter ruled.
In a statement, attorneys for The Washington Post and Natanson said they had asked the government to refrain from reviewing the documents pending judicial resolution, but were refused. They claimed that the FBI's actions were intended to intimidate and retaliate against a journalist who had cultivated sources within the government.
The judge scheduled oral arguments for February 6 and ordered the government to file a reply by January 28. The Post is seeking an expedited briefing schedule.
A US federal judge has ordered the FBI to stop searching devices seized from a Washington Post reporter's home, while the court reviews motions filed by the Post and the journalist, Hannah Natanson. The order grants a "standstill" motion, which prevents the review of the materials pending judicial resolution.
Natanson was not the subject of investigation but had her work and personal devices seized last week as part of an FBI probe into alleged leaks by a Pentagon contractor. The Post had filed motions to force the return of Natanson's property and to prevent the government from reviewing the seized devices until the court rules on whether they must be returned.
The judge, William Porter, stated that "almost none" of the data seized was responsive to the warrant, which sought only records received from or relating to a single government contractor. The materials, he said, are protected by the First Amendment and attorney-client privilege.
The Post argued that the search and seizure of Natanson's reporting materials constituted an unconstitutional prior restraint on expressive activity. "The government must preserve but must not review any of the materials that law enforcement seized pursuant to search warrants," Porter ruled.
In a statement, attorneys for The Washington Post and Natanson said they had asked the government to refrain from reviewing the documents pending judicial resolution, but were refused. They claimed that the FBI's actions were intended to intimidate and retaliate against a journalist who had cultivated sources within the government.
The judge scheduled oral arguments for February 6 and ordered the government to file a reply by January 28. The Post is seeking an expedited briefing schedule.
just heard about the FBI halting their search of devices seized from Hannah Natanson's home 
... like, what's going on here?! 
So basically, she wasn't even being investigated but they still snatched her personal stuff 
and now the court is all like "nope, can't review that" 
. I mean, I get it, First Amendment and all that, but it feels so unfair 
... The Post was right to file those motions, it's like they're trying to silence a journalist who's just doing their job 
. And honestly, the fact that the government refused to let them review the stuff is just suspicious 
... hope this whole thing gets sorted out soon 
an FBI search of devices seized from a reporter's home just got put on hold. This is huge! 
the judge is saying that almost none of the data seized was related to the warrant, which was supposed to target some leaker at a Pentagon contractor. But the Post and Natanson are saying it's all about intimidation and retaliation... I mean, can you blame them? 
journalists have to navigate already treacherous waters when it comes to sources and sensitive info. It's like they're playing with fire 
. The fact that they didn't even ask for permission before searching the reporter's devices is just shady 
. This whole thing reeks of overreach and a disregard for free speech... fingers crossed the court can get this sorted out soon 
and now the court is saying nope, you gotta follow procedure 
. This whole thing just smells like a fishy investigation 
.
! I mean, can you even believe they would try to review Hannah's reporting materials? that's like, a total journalist thing! 
And now, because of this totally unjustified move, Natanson has to take time off from work? 
and now they can't review it until the court decides? that's a weird situation... i mean, if you're not being investigated, why would you have stuff related to someone else's investigation on your devices? 
and what's with this "almost none" thing? how much data did they actually find? 
need some more info here... want some sources or something? 
! So like, the FBI can't just go through someone's devices without a good reason, right? And they had to get a warrant and all that jazz 
. But now the judge said almost none of the data was related to what they were looking for, so it's like... 
.
I mean, I know Natanson was involved in some shady stuff with that Pentagon contractor, but come on, she's a journalist! She's got the right to protect her sources and her work. 
The Post is saying the FBI is just gonna review them anyway, and that's just low-key harassment 
. Anyway, time for the gov to show up in court and explain themselves 
This is totally concerning, FBI can't just search devices without a good reason! 
. This whole ordeal makes me think the government is trying to silence Natanson and intimidate other reporters too 
.
, it's like they're being bullied by the government. Fingers crossed for Natanson and The Washington Post on this one 