Natanson is not the subject of the investigation. The FBI executed a search warrant at her residence last week as part of an investigation into alleged leaks by a Pentagon contractor. The Washington Post filed a motion seeking the return of the reporter's property and a separate motion for a standstill order to prevent review of the seized devices until the court rules on their return.

According to a Post court filing, "Almost none of the seized data is even potentially responsive to the warrant, which seeks only records received from or relating to a single government contractor." The filing further argued that the seized data includes material protected by the First Amendment.

The legal proceedings raise questions about the balance between national security interests and the protection of press freedom. The government has not yet commented publicly on the specific allegations or the justification for the search warrant.

Further proceedings will be held to determine whether the search can resume or whether the government must return the devices. The court's decision will likely have implications for the ongoing investigation and the broader issue of government surveillance of journalists.