Times Square terrorist is sentenced to life in prison for car bomb

Faisal Shahzad, the man who attempted to detonate a car bomb in New York City’s Times Square in early May, was sentenced to life in prison by a federal judge on Tuesday. 

Shahzad, 31, is a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Pakistan who on May 1 sparked national security concerns by attempting to bomb one of the most crowded public areas in the country. He pleaded guilty in June to a 10-count indictment that carried a mandatory sentence of life in prison, according to the Justice Department.

{mosads}”Faisal Shahzad is a remorseless terrorist who betrayed his
adopted country and today was rightly sentenced to spend the rest of his
life in federal prison,” U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said. “While his life
sentence ensures that he will never again threaten the security of New
York City and our nation, together we must remain vigilant against those
like him who wish to do us harm.”

The attempted bombing, which failed, spurred lawmakers to demand changes to several national security programs. 

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) demanded that the Obama administration provide additional funding to a New York City-based anti-terror program, causing a brief spat between New York lawmakers and the Democratic administration. 

“Today’s sentence sends a clear and unequivocal message to those who seek to do us harm—our justice system is swift and strong,” Schumer said Tuesday. “Let this be a warning to others who would attempt to attack us: you will be caught, you will be held to account, and justice will be brought down upon you.”

Some lawmakers also sought to implement reforms to crack down on U.S. nationals who become radicalized and affiliate with terrorist organizations. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) introduced legislation in May that would revoke the citizenship of Americans who join terror groups. 

Former deputy FBI director John Pistole, who helped apprehend Shahzad on May 3 while attempting to flee the country through New York’s Kennedy airport, was nominated and confirmed in June to head the Transportation Security Administration.

— This post was updated at 3:03 p.m.