Overview
- Magistrate Judge Lindsey Vaala rejected the FBI's warrant request to search Barbara Wien's smartphone, marking a second denial this week according to court records.
- Virginia State Police previously seized the phone under an Oct. 1 state warrant from Judge Judith Wheat, which was later narrowed to limit the search and restrict sharing with federal agents.
- Arlington Commonwealth's Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti backed limits on the state warrant, a stance investigators called unusual, as reporting also highlighted her social media activity critical of Stephen Miller.
- Investigators say Wien posted flyers listing Miller's home address with a QR code linking to an activist group and made an "I'm watching you" gesture captured on Secret Service video, while her lawyer argues the conduct is protected speech.
- No charges have been filed, the phone remains in state custody under court-ordered constraints, and Axios reports the Miller family relocated to a military base as tensions over the case escalated.