Who Is Hannah Natanson? FBI Executes Search Warrant at Washington Post Reporter’s Home

January 15, 2026 – Virginia, USA – The FBI executed a search warrant at the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson on Wednesday, in what the newspaper described as a “highly unusual and aggressive” action. Authorities said Natanson is not accused of any wrongdoing, and neither she nor the Post were informed in advance about being involved in the federal investigation.

Who Is Hannah Natanson?

Hannah Natanson is an experienced journalist based in Washington, D.C., reporting for the Washington Post. She primarily covers President Donald Trump’s federal government policies and their impacts. Natanson previously spent six years covering education issues.

She has received multiple accolades, including:

• 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service as part of a Washington Post team covering the January 6 Capitol attack.

• Pulitzer Prize finalist for Breaking News Reporting in 2020.

• George Foster Peabody Award in 2024 for a podcast series on school gun violence.

• Finalist for the Poynter Journalism Prizes’ First Amendment Award.

• Society of Professional Journalists’ Dateline Award for Investigative Journalism.

• Education Writers Association National First-Place Award for News Reporting in 2020.

Natanson holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University.

Why Did the FBI Search Natanson’s Home?

The search is connected to a federal investigation into Aurelio Perez-Lugones, a Maryland-based Pentagon contractor and system administrator with top-secret clearance. He is accused of improperly retaining classified materials.

Importantly:

• Natanson is not accused of receiving classified information illegally.

• The warrant allowed seizure of her phone, Garmin watch, and two laptops (one belonging to The Washington Post).

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the search was at the request of the Department of Defense, citing a journalist allegedly obtaining “classified and illegally leaked information.” FBI Director Kash Patel described it as an ongoing national security investigation but gave no further details.

Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray confirmed that the newsroom had no prior notice of the search, sparking concern about press freedom and the balance between national security and investigative journalism.

Press Freedom Concerns

Journalists and press advocacy groups have expressed alarm over the FBI action, warning that it could chill investigative reporting. Experts say the case highlights tensions between national security investigations and the protection of reporters in the United States.