Story perspectives

Judge to Decide on Controversial Search of Journalist's Home

2/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Virginia State Bar says a judge must decide whether federal prosecutor Gordon D. Kromberg mishandled a warrant to search Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson's home.
The Freedom of the Press Foundation filed a complaint against Kromberg for not disclosing the Privacy Protection Act of 1980.
Critics say omission is significant given unprecedented nature of such searches.
Legal experts note First Amendment concerns about treating news gathering as a crime.

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Story summary

The Virginia State Bar says a judge must decide whether federal prosecutor Gordon D. Kromberg mishandled a warrant to search Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson's home.
The Freedom of the Press Foundation filed a complaint against Kromberg for not disclosing the Privacy Protection Act of 1980.
Critics say omission is significant given unprecedented nature of such searches.
Legal experts note First Amendment concerns about treating news gathering as a crime.