Natanson is not the subject of the investigation. The FBI executed a search warrant at her residence last week as part of an inquiry into alleged leaks by a Pentagon contractor. The Washington Post filed a motion seeking the return of the reporter's property, along with a separate motion for a standstill order to prevent review of the seized devices pending a court ruling 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 asserted 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 publicly commented on the specifics of the case, citing the ongoing investigation.

Further proceedings will be held to determine whether the search can resume or whether the government must return the seized devices. The court's decision will likely have implications for the relationship between the government and the press in investigations involving potential leaks of classified information.