The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted a search of the residence of Washington Post journalist Hannah Natanson, seizing her electronic devices as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of mishandling classified materials. Natanson has reported extensively on the Trump administration's restructuring of federal agencies, which has included significant layoffs of government personnel.

This incident reflects a broader trend of increasing hostility towards the media, characterized by lawsuits, budget reductions, and the consolidation of media and technology entities. Jameel Jaffer, director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, commented on the implications of the raid, suggesting it serves as a means of intimidation not only towards journalists but also towards their sources. He emphasized the critical role of the press in informing the public about governmental actions and holding officials accountable, particularly during a time when press freedom is perceived to be under threat.

In a related development, U.S. District Judge William Young announced on January 15, 2026, that he intends to issue an order aimed at curbing actions by the Trump administration against academics who have criticized its policies regarding the arrest and deportation of non-citizens, particularly those involved in pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses. This follows a previous ruling in September, where Judge Young determined that the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had violated the First Amendment by detaining and attempting to deport non-citizens based on their speech.

During a hearing in Boston federal court, Judge Young described the actions of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem as part of an unconstitutional conspiracy to suppress dissenting voices. He stated, "There was no policy here. What happened here is an unconstitutional conspiracy to pick off certain people, to twist the laws." Young emphasized that the cabinet secretaries knowingly engaged in actions that effectively chilled free speech among targeted groups.

Judge Young criticized the failure of these officials to uphold constitutional protections, noting that dedicated government employees were diverted from critical investigations, such as anti-terrorism and human trafficking, to instead focus on gathering information on dissenting academics. He remarked on the potential for government agencies to be weaponized against specific groups, highlighting a concerning trend in the use of state power.

The forthcoming order will specifically address academic associations, including the American Association of University Professors and the Middle East Studies Association, which have challenged the administration's practices. While Judge Young deemed their request for a national order as overly broad, he acknowledged the need for a sanction to address what he characterized as a conspiracy by high-ranking officials under the Trump administration. He concluded by referencing the authoritarian tendencies of the administration, stating, "this president believes, as an authoritarian, that when he speaks, everyone... is going to toe the line absolutely."