The FBI conducted a search of a Washington Post reporter’s home, seizing multiple electronic devices.
According to reports, federal agents were at the residence of reporter Hannah Natanson on Wednesday morning. Natanson, based in Washington, D.C., has been delving into sensitive topics involving the federal government, particularly during the early days of President Donald Trump’s second term.
“The leak suspect was arrested this week and is in custody.”
During the search, the FBI reportedly took Natanson’s phone and Garmin watch.
This operation is linked to an ongoing investigation involving government contractor Aurelio Pérez-Lugones, as mentioned by the Post.
Pérez-Lugones, who resides in Maryland, faces charges for illegally possessing national defense information, according to court records. He previously served in the U.S. Navy with top-secret security clearance. After retiring in 2002, he has worked in various government contracting roles.
The affidavit dated January 9 reveals that Pérez-Lugones is employed as a systems engineer and IT specialist for a government contracting firm in Annapolis Junction, Maryland. His position grants access to classified information regarding “sources, methods, and analytical processes” that he has maintained since at least 2000, according to court documents.
In October, he reportedly took a screenshot of a confidential document, transferred it to a Microsoft Word file, and printed it. Additionally, he is accused of writing confidential details on a yellow notepad on January 7 and bringing that paper home. The following day, authorities searched his residence and reportedly uncovered several documents marked as confidential, including one found in his lunchbox.
According to the affidavit, “One or more of these documents are related to national defense.”
However, the criminal complaint does not allege that Pérez-Lugones disclosed any confidential information to reporters.
His attorney has yet to offer any comment on the situation.
In December, Natanson published a piece titled, “I’m the Post’s ‘Federal Whisperer. It was cruel.” In it, she mentioned receiving communications from over 1,000 current or former federal employees sharing their experiences regarding the adverse impacts of President Trump’s leadership on workplace policies.
In a report, she noted that no one in the agency could provide her with that sort of information directly, referring to a Post article based on insights from government officials.
For any inquiries, the FBI directed to a post by Director Kash Patel on X regarding the search on Wednesday. He stated, “This morning, the @FBI and our partners executed a search warrant against an individual at The Washington Post, who was suspected of receiving and reporting classified military information from a government contractor, endangering our warfighters and threatening the national security of the United States. The leaker was arrested this week and is in custody. As this is an ongoing investigation, we will not be commenting further.”
