Hoyer Says Times Square Suspect Should be Mirandized

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) Tuesday believes that authorities should follow the book for handling the arrest, detention and potential trial for Times Square bombing suspect Faisal Shahzad.

“This is a U.S. citizen arrested on U.S. soil. He is suspected of committing a crime,” Hoyer said when asked if Shahzad should be read his Miranda Rights. “I think it’s pretty-well settled law.”

The leader then noted that “even Glenn Beck says he deserves Constitutional Rights,” referring to the FOX News Channel and radio host.

Shahzad passed the required background checks to become a citizen in Hartford, CT, a little more than a year ago. He was living in Bridgeport, CT, near New York City.

Hoyer signaled that the alertness of everyday citizens can be an important tool in fighting terrorism. He saluted Times Square vendor Duane Jackson who first spotted the smoking Nissan Pathfinder Saturday night.

“He saw something unusual. Beyond a car that had a radiator blowing off steam,” Hoyer said. “We all need to be on alert. All 310 million of us.”

“In this case we were fortunate. In the Timothy McVeigh case, we weren’t,” Hoyer said, referring to man convicted and put to death in connection with the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. “You’ve got to do everything you can. And then pray you get lucky.”