The White House is reviewing a plan that would require the Justice Department and FBI to consult with the intelligence community before deciding whether to inform terrorism suspects arrested in the United States that they have the right to remain silent and to consult with an attorney, according to the Washington Post. U.S.
Senior administration officials said the proposed change in policy is the result of a review ordered by President Barack Obama, the paper reported in its Saturday edition.
It follows a controversy over the handling of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian accused of trying to blow up a plane headed to Detroit on Christmas Day and who was read his so-called "Miranda" legal rights 10 hours after his arrest.
"We are analyzing lessons learned (in the case) with the goal of ensuring full information from across the government is available to law enforcement personnel on the ground as they conduct interrogations and make decisions on how to handle terrorist suspects," the paper quoted a senior administration official as saying.
"The final decision about Miranda and other law enforcement decisions will continue to lie with the FBI and the Justice Department," added the official, who requested anonymity because the new procedures have not yet been approved.
Republicans have criticized the Obama administration for not consulting with intelligence agencies before FBI agents read Abdulmutallab his rights. They say the decision cost the United States valuable intelligence.