U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, introduced a bill on March 27 that aims to boost protections for journalists in the wake of the FBI's search of a Washington Post reporter's home in January.
The bill, titled the "Privacy Protection Updates Act," is intended to close "loopholes" in thePrivacy Protection Act of 1980that have "been abused by multiple presidential administrations," including in the Jan. 14 raid, Wyden's office said. The law generally requires the government to get a subpoena to obtain journalists' work products.
TheFBI executed a search warrantat reporter Hannah Natanson's Virginia home as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified documents. Several of Natanson's devices were seized in the raid,according to the news organization.
Ina statement posted on X, Attorney GeneralPam Bondisaid the search warrant was executed at the request of the Pentagon and the Department of Justice.
U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Delaware,called it a"clear assault on the First Amendment," while U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois,told Courthouse Newsthat he and other senators would "keep the pressure on" the Justice Department to disclose more details about the search.
A federal judge in Februaryblocked President Donald Trump's administrationfrom searching through the seized items. Instead, the court was tasked with reviewing the materials to determine what, if any, content is relevant to the leak investigation.
The judge also criticized the government for not referencing the Privacy Protection Act of 1980 in its search warrant application.
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Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who served as special counsel heading an investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election, has died, the New York Times and MS NOW reported.Mueller was 81 years old. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2021, his family told the New York Times in August. His family confirmed his death to the New York Times in a statement, but didn't specify a cause.
As special counsel, Mueller issued a report in 2019 concluding that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 election to help then-presidential candidate Donald Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. However, Mueller didn't find evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.
Scroll through to look back at his career.
Former FBI director Robert Mueller dies. Look back at his career in government
Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who served as special counsel heading an investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election,has died, the New York Times and MS NOW reported.
Mueller was 81 years old. He wasdiagnosed with Parkinson's diseasein 2021, his familytold the New York Timesin August. His familyconfirmed his deathto the New York Times in a statement, but didn't specify a cause.As special counsel, Mueller issued a report in 2019 concluding that theRussian government interfered in the 2016 electionto help then-presidential candidateDonald Trumpdefeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. However, Mueller didn't find evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.Scroll through to look back at his career.
Wyden's bill would require the government to do so, and if it tries to seize a journalist's work materials through a warrant, as in Natanson's case, prove why an exception applies.
It would establish processes so that a judge reviews any emergency seizures of such materials within 48 hours and that "illegally searched or seized" records can be suppressed, Wyden's office said.
It would also clarify that the Privacy Protection Act applies to journalists' materials stored on the cloud.
Numerous advocacy groups including the Committee to Protect Journalists and the Freedom of the Press Foundation endorsed the legislation, Wyden's office said.
BrieAnna Frank is a First Amendment reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her atbjfrank@usatoday.com.
USA TODAY's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.Funders do not provide editorial input.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Sen. Ron Wyden introduces bill protecting journalists after FBI search