The FBI executed a search warrant on Wednesday at the Virginia home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson as part of a federal investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified materials, the newspaper confirmed, as reported by Fox News.
According to The Washington Post, Natanson was present at her home when agents carried out the search. A warrant stated that law enforcement was investigating Aurelio Perez-Lugones, a Maryland-based system administrator with top secret security clearance who is accused of accessing and taking home classified intelligence reports.
The materials were allegedly found in his lunchbox and basement, according to an FBI affidavit cited by the Post.
BREAKING: The FBI searched Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson’s home and devices on Wednesday as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of sharing government secrets, according to multiple reports. pic.twitter.com/efJGCtW2N4
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 14, 2026
Natanson’s home and electronic devices were searched, and she told her employer that agents seized her phone and a Garmin watch.
Perez-Lugones is an American citizen born in Miami who resides in Laurel, Maryland, according to a criminal complaint. He has worked as a government contractor since 2002 and holds top secret security clearance.
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The complaint states that his current role is administrative and that he works as a systems engineer and information technology specialist for a government contracting firm whose primary customer is a government agency.
His workplace is located in Annapolis Junction, Maryland.
Federal prosecutors allege Perez-Lugones used databases and repositories to search for, access, and view a classified intelligence report related to a foreign country.
He is accused of taking a screenshot of the report and printing it. The complaint states that at least one document marked “secret” found in his basement was related to national defense.
Natanson covers what her X profile describes as “the Trump administration’s reshaping of the government and its effects.”
The Washington Post reported that she has been involved in some of the paper’s most sensitive coverage during the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term.
The Washington Post told Fox News Digital that it is “reviewing and monitoring the situation.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi addressed the search in a statement posted to social media.
“This past week, at the request of the Department of War, the Department of Justice and FBI executed a search warrant at the home of a Washington Post journalist who was obtaining and reporting classified and illegally leaked information from a Pentagon contractor. The leaker is currently behind bars. I am proud to work alongside Secretary Hegseth on this effort. The Trump Administration will not tolerate illegal leaks of classified information that, when reported, pose a grave risk to our Nation’s national security and the brave men and women who are serving our country,” Bondi wrote.
This past week, at the request of the Department of War, the Department of Justice and FBI executed a search warrant at the home of a Washington Post journalist who was obtaining and reporting classified and illegally leaked information from a Pentagon contractor. The leaker is…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) January 14, 2026
FBI Director Kash Patel also confirmed the search in a post on X.
“This morning the @FBI and partners executed a search warrant of an individual at the Washington Post who was found to allegedly be obtaining and reporting classified, sensitive military information from a government contractor – endangering our warfighters and compromising America’s national security. The alleged leaker was arrested this week and is in custody. As this is an ongoing investigation, we will have no further comment,” Patel wrote.
This morning the @FBI and partners executed a search warrant of an individual at the Washington Post who was found to allegedly be obtaining and reporting classified, sensitive military information from a government contractor – endangering our warfighters and compromising…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) January 14, 2026
Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray sent a memo to staff on Wednesday stating that neither Natanson nor the paper was a target of the investigation.
“FBI agents showed up unannounced at the doorstep of our colleague Hannah Natanson, searched her home, and proceeded to seize her electronic devices,” Murray wrote.
“According to the government warrant, the raid was in connection with an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified government materials. We are told Hannah and The Post are not a target.”
Murray added that the paper views the action as concerning but said it remains committed to press freedoms.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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