U.S. news organizations and press freedom groups are concerned after federal agents raided the home of a Washington Post reporter as part of an investigation into the handling of classified material.

Wednesday’s raid focused on the home of journalist Hannah Natanson, who has led The Washington Post’s coverage of efforts to slash the federal workforce under President Donald Trump.

FBI agents seized her work and personal laptops, as well as other electronics such as a cell phone and a Garmin watch.

“The raid was related to an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified government materials, pursuant to a government search warrant. We were told Hanna and the Post were not targets,” said Matt Murray, executive editor of The Washington Post.

“Nonetheless, this extraordinary and aggressive action is deeply concerning and raises deep questions and concerns about the Constitution’s protections for our jobs.”

Free press organizations echoed the Post’s concerns, arguing that the raid fit a pattern of escalating pressure on journalists who report on information that the government does not want made public.

Trump frequently attacks the news media and threatens those he deems overly critical with lawsuits and investigations.

Still, given the broad press freedom protections enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, it is uncommon for law enforcement to seize journalists’ materials. Supporters warned that Wednesday’s action could undermine any efforts by journalists to cover whistleblower complaints.

The search warrant was part of an investigation into leaks of classified material, one of Trump’s pet peeves, The Washington Post reported.

Prosecutors allege that a contractor named Aurelio Perez-Lugones, a systems engineer and information technology specialist, took screenshots of intelligence reports and printed them out while working for a government contractor in Maryland.

Investigators also said they found classified documents in a lunchbox while searching his car and basement earlier this month.

The Trump administration has accused Perez-Lugones of contacting Natanson to leak information and said the search of her home was at the request of the Department of Defense.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said on social media: “The Department of Justice and the FBI executed a search warrant at the home of a Washington Post reporter who was obtaining and reporting confidential and unlawfully leaked information from Pentagon contractors.” postal.

She added that the “leaker” – an apparent reference to Pérez-Lugones – had been arrested.

“The Trump Administration will not tolerate the unlawful disclosure of classified information that, if reported, poses serious risks to our nation’s national security and the brave men and women who serve our country,” she said.

White House Press Secretary Carolyn Leavitt also expressed her views, writing It is said online that Trump has “zero tolerance” for leaks and will “severely crack down” on leaks.

But media advocates argue that working with whistleblowers is an important part of reporting on covert government agencies, especially in areas such as national security.

A raid like the one conducted at Nathanson’s residence could violate the anonymity established between journalists and sources, especially those in sensitive government positions.

Natanson has reported extensively on the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce and push nonpartisan employees to align with his political agenda.

She also reported on recent U.S. actions in Venezuela, culminating in the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro on January 3.

Organizations such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have spoken out against the search warrants.

“This attack should be disturbing to all Americans,” said Catherine Jacobson, CPJ’s regional coordinator for the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. “The United States is at a critical moment as the Trump administration continues to chip away at civil liberties.”

“Using the FBI, funded by U.S. taxpayers, to seize a reporter’s electronic devices, including her official work laptop, is a flagrant violation of journalistic protections and undermines the public’s right to know.”