FBI criticised as agents raid home of Washington Post reporter

The FBI raided the home of a Washington Post reporter early yesterday in what the newspaper called an "extraordinary and aggressive" move by law enforcement, and which press freedom groups condemned as a "tremendous intrusion" by the Trump administration.

- Richard Luscombe Jeremy Barr

Agents descended on the Virginia home of Hannah Natanson as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified government materials.

An email sent yesterday afternoon to Post staff from the executive editor, Matt Murray, and obtained by the Guardian, said agents turned up "unannounced", searched her home and seized electronic devices.

"This extraordinary, aggressive action is deeply concerning and raises profound questions and concern around the constitutional protections for our work," the email said.