In England they have the famous "Birmingham six", who were arrested for planting a bomb in a Birmingham bar and killing a number of people. The government was put under so much pressure by the media, that they arrested 6 persons and made up some of the evidence and they were sent to prison for life.
One of them died in prison and 15 years later they set free the remainder, as it was discovered the evidence was tarnished.
I am not saying that Padilla is innocent, but the US should make sure tht he is given the legal rights he is entitled, it is understandable that the government is scared and they seem to be in crisis management mode, but the British made the mistake of "internment" in Ireland, with disasterous consequences.