Peter King Calls for Investigation Into Shahzad Leak
Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) is demanding that Attorney General Eric Holder open an investigation into who leaked information to the press about alleged Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad before he was arrested, King said today on "Washington Unplugged."
"Whoever was doing this leaking had to be somebody very high up, who had access to this information," King told CBS News' Kaylee Hartung. "That person has to bear the responsibility."
King said he sent a letter to Holder asking for a full investigation because the leak allowed Shahzad to nearly escape. Starting Monday afternoon, news websites started reporting that authorities were searching for a person with overseas connections in their investigation of the bomb-laden car left in Times Square in New York over the weekend, King explained. By Monday evening, the press was reporting the suspect was Pakistani.
"This could only tip him off we were coming after him," King said.
Shahzad was already on board a plane bound for Dubai when authorities arrested him late Monday night.
The leak compromised the investigation and put lives at risk, since Shahzad had a gun, King said.
Watch the interview above, along with a discussion with CBS News Chief Legal Correspondent Jan Crawford about President Obama's next Supreme Court pick, as well as a discussion with CBSNews.com's Brian Montopoli about the controversy over the National Day of Prayer.
Eric Holder: Lessons Learned from Shahzad Capture
Pakistani Taliban Part of Bombing Attempt?
Shahzad Practiced Bomb Plot, Official Says
Shahzad: Number Cruncher to Terror Suspect
Special Section: Terrorism in the U.S.
"Washington Unplugged," CBSNews.com's exclusive daily politics Webshow, appears live on CBSNews.com each weekday at 12:30 p.m. ET. Click here to check out previous episodes.
