Rep. Peter King: Investigate Why Shahzad Was Given A Play-By-Play On The Manhunt For Him

I've really never seen a high-level fugitive manhunt where the administration was so promiscuous with leaks. Every second this guy was being given fresh information about where the feds were in their hunt.

“I believe the FBI should investigate who leaked this information out before the arrest was made,” said King, a Republican member of the Homeland Security and Intelligence committees. “I think it compromised the investigation and put lives at risk. This guy was carrying a weapon.”

Faisal Shahzad, 30, was apprehended at Kennedy Airport just after 11 p.m. last night. King notes details about the man started surfacing in the afternoon, when the world had believed cops were looking for a middle-aged white man.

“To be putting law enforcement at risk of the investigation being compromised, and him getting away - it could have ended up in a gun battle,” King said. “This guy took off when he realized they were coming after him.”

King, the ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, said he’s never seen such “totally irresponsible” behavior in an ongoing, high-level probe.

Check out the response from a presumed Obama-voting LEO:

Update: The White House declined to comment, but a law enforcement official offered: “Given his well-known history of leaking information, I’m surprised that Pete King seems so eager to launch an investigation that could well end up ensnaring him.”

I find that kind of extraordinary. It's not-so-veiled threat, isn't it?

Thanks to Gabriel Malor.

posted by Ace at 05:16 PM

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