Suspect in attempted Times Square attack admits role as detonator

A naturalized U.S. citizen from Pakistan has admitted to trying to detonate a bomb in New York City’s Times Square, and he is providing authorities with “useful information,” Attorney General Eric Holder said.

Faisal Shahzad was taken into custody late Monday night while trying to board a flight to Dubai, the Justice Department said, in a case that is sure to reignite the political debate over how to try accused terrorists.

{mosads}Holder said that Shahzad will be charged Tuesday with terrorism and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. Holder could not confirm reports that Pakistan has arrested other individuals in connection with the plot.

“It is clear that this was a terrorist plot aimed at murdering Americans in one of the busiest places in our country,” Holder said. 

Shahzad was read his Miranda rights at some point, officials said, a legal right afforded to U.S. citizens but at issue in cases of alleged terrorists. 

Holder said Tuesday that the Justice Department is continuing to consider trying Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in New York City in connection with the 9/11 attacks, and that that city and Washington will be targets regardless of where the trial is held.

“I think unfortunately New York and Washington, D.C., remain targets of people who would do this nation harm,” Holder said. 

President Barack Obama on Monday hailed the arrest in connection with what he called “an attempted terrorist attack.”

Obama reassured Americans that Shahzad is being questioned by FBI and national security officials who “have all the tools and experience they need to learn everything we can, and that includes what if any connection this individual has to any terrorist groups.”

“Justice will be done, and we will continue to do everything in our power to protect the American people,” Obama said.

Street vendors on Saturday alerted authorities to a smoking SUV containing explosive materials. The bomb was crude, but could have caused significant casualties, officials said. 

Gibbs said early Tuesday that Obama was briefed six times throughout the day on Monday by Department of Homeland Security head for counterterrorism John Brennan. Brennan notified Obama of the arrest at 12:05 a.m.

The arrest is already causing ripples inside the Beltway as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Tuesday morning it would have been a “serious mistake” if Shahzad was read his Miranda rights during arrest.

“Obviously that would be a serious mistake…at least until we find out as much information we have,” McCain said during an appearance on “Imus in the Morning.” 

“Don’t give this guy his Miranda rights until we find out what it’s all about,” McCain added.

The White House and Justice Department were heavily criticized by Republicans when Obama and Holder announced they would seek to try alleged terrorist detainees in civilian court in New York City.

The president called the weekend’s failed bombing attempt “another sobering reminder of the times in which we live.”

The president said there are terrorist who will “stop at nothing” to kill Americans, and he thanked New York City citizens for their vigilance and officials for their work in investigating and arresting Shahzad.

Obama said he has personally thanked a number of those people, as he said “New Yorkers have reminded us once again how to live with our heads held high.”

“As Americans, as a nation, we will not be terrorized,” Obama said. “We will not cower in fear. We will not be intimidated.”