Judge blocks government from searching reporter’s data after raid

“The search and seizure of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson’s records is unconstitutional and illegal in its entirety. But even the Trump administration’s policies require searches of journalists’ materials to be narrow and targeted and that authorities use filter teams and other measures to avoid searching protected records. That the administration wouldn’t follow its own guidelines shows that the raid on Natanson’s home wasn’t about any criminal investigation, and certainly wasn’t about national security. It was a fishing expedition intended to intimidate and retaliate against a journalist who had managed to cultivate sources all over the government. The judge was right to block it until a full hearing at which time he should block it permanently.”