U.S. judge blocks review of material seized from Washington Post reporter

A U.S. magistrate judge barred federal prosecutors from reviewing material seized during an FBI search of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson's home and scheduled a hearing for early next month.

A U.S. magistrate judge on Wednesday barred federal prosecutors from reviewing material seized during an FBI search of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson's home. The search, conducted Jan. 14 in Virginia, was tied to an investigation into the alleged sharing of classified information and connected to a criminal case against a Pentagon contractor, officials said. The Washington Post and Natanson asked the court to order the return of seized property, arguing the search violated First Amendment protections for the press. Judge William Porter said his order would preserve the status quo and scheduled a hearing for early next month while the Justice Department prepares a response. What is known: - FBI agents searched Natanson's Virginia home as part of a probe into the leak of classified information tied to a separate criminal case, according to officials. - The Washington Post and Hannah Natanson filed for the return of seized materials, citing First Amendment concerns. - U.S. Magistrate Judge William Porter directed prosecutors not to review the seized material until a hearing set for early next month. - Spokespeople for the Justice Department and the Washington Post did not immediately comment on the court's order, and free press groups said the search could chill newsgathering. Summary: The court's order preserves the seized materials while the newspaper's constitutional challenge proceeds. A hearing is scheduled for early next month and the Justice Department has an opportunity to respond before then.