Freedom of press? FBI raids US journalist's home; leaker of classified info 'behind bars'

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted searches at the residence of Washington Post journalist in a case pertaining to "obtaining and reporting" classified and "illegally leaking information from a Pentagon contractor," US attorney general Pamela Bondi informed on Wednesday. She added that the leaker was "behind bars".

The crackdown has raised concerns among press freedom advocates.




"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," she said in a post on X.



"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," she added.

Last month, Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson wrote a first-person account reflecting on her year as “the federal government whisperer,” during which she received tips from hundreds of federal employees affected by Trump’s reshaping of the government.

Natanson was informed that she was not a subject of the investigation, indicating that the FBI was likely seeking one or more of her sources. Natanson examined the FBI’s search warrant and shared its details with her employer, CNN reported citing a person familiar with the matter.