DOJ — sign-off for the January 2026 search of a Washington Post reporter's home: refused as "not reasonably described," no search done (FOIA-2026-04079)

U.S. Department of Justice — Office of Information Policy · FOIA-2026-04079 · filed Jul 18, 2026 · answered Jul 30, 2026 · refused, nothing searched or released

What we asked for: The written approval that DOJ's own news-media rules require before agents search a journalist's home — specifically the approval memo or sign-off by the Attorney General or another designated senior official for the January 2026 search of a Washington Post reporter's home, and any record showing the rules' requirements were met. We said we wanted that one approval record, not general emails.

What we got: Nothing. DOJ said the request does not describe the records well enough for staff "to locate the requested records with a reasonable amount of effort," so it is not a valid FOIA request (5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(3)(A)). No search was done. The letter invites us to contact the office to reword the request.

Also in the letter: it says the office was closed October 1 – November 12, 2025 during the government shutdown, which delayed its answer. It gives 90 days to appeal.

View DOJ's letter Download PDF, 2 pages

Documents are exactly as the agency provided them; only the requester's personal contact information has been blacked out. All other redactions are the agency's. Link to this record: https://records.nomergerwithoutdebate.org/foia/oip-04079/