FBI agents conducted a search at the Virginia residence of Washington Post journalist Hannah Natanson on Wednesday, January 14. This action formed part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged sharing of classified government information, according to officials cited by Reuters.
Details of the Investigation
Investigators informed Natanson that she was not a target of the probe during the search. The Washington Post confirmed this statement. The search connects to a case involving Aurelio Perez-Lugones, a technology specialist employed by a U.S. government contractor.
Federal prosecutors charged Perez-Lugones last week with unlawful retention of national defense information. They allege he took screenshots of classified intelligence reports and printed them. An FBI affidavit states investigators discovered documents marked "secret" in his car and basement.
Justice Department's Position
Attorney General Pamela Bondi addressed the situation on social media platform X. She stated the Justice Department and FBI executed a search warrant at the home of a Washington Post journalist. Bondi claimed this journalist had been "obtaining and reporting classified and illegally leaked information" from a Pentagon contractor.
She added the alleged leaker is now in custody. Bondi emphasized the Trump administration would not tolerate illegal leaks that create risks to national security.
Who is Hannah Natanson?
Hannah Natanson covers President Donald Trump's reshaping of the federal government for The Washington Post. Her reporting focuses on the impact of these changes on the federal workforce. She has extensively documented Trump's efforts to fire large numbers of federal workers and realign remaining staff to implement his agenda.
Before covering federal government matters, Natanson reported on education for six years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University.
Awards and Recognition
Natanson has earned several prestigious journalism honors throughout her career. She was part of The Washington Post team that won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. This award recognized their coverage of the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection.
In 2024, she received a George Foster Peabody Award for a podcast series on school gun violence. Natanson has also been a Pulitzer finalist. Additional awards come from the Education Writers Association, the Society of Professional Journalists, and Poynter.
Recent Reporting
Natanson published a first-person account in December titled "I am The Post's 'federal government whisperer.' It's been brutal." This piece described the overwhelming volume of calls and messages she receives from current and former federal employees. These individuals expressed distress about rapid policy changes under the Trump administration.
Washington Post Response
The Washington Post confirmed Natanson was present during the search of her home. The newspaper reiterated that investigators told her she was not the focus of the investigation. The Post has not accused Natanson of any wrongdoing.
