The White House is standing firm in support of Adeel Mangi, a controversial judicial nominee for the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, despite calls from Republicans to withdraw his nomination. Mangi has faced scrutiny over his ties to groups accused of antisemitism and supporting “cop killers”. The White House official updated Fox News Digital on the status of the nomination, indicating that President Biden is not considering withdrawing it, despite pressure from Republican lawmakers. Mangi has served on the board of advisers for the Rutgers University Center for Security, Race and Rights (CSRR), which has been criticized for hosting events with controversial speakers.
Senators Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., have publicly expressed their opposition to Mangi’s nomination, citing his affiliation with the Alliance of Families for Justice (AFJ), a group founded by a board member who pleaded guilty to felony murder. Additionally, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has stated that he will not support any nominee who cannot garner at least one Republican supporter. The Senate Judiciary Republicans have claimed that opposition to Mangi is growing, and the White House’s decision not to withdraw the nomination is puzzling. However, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates defended Mangi’s nomination, calling him an “extraordinarily qualified nominee” who would make history as the first Muslim federal appellate court judge.
White House officials, including chief of staff Jeff Zients and White House Counsel Ed Siskel, continue to lobby Democratic senators to support Mangi’s nomination. They have pushed back against concerns over his affiliations with the CSRR and AFJ, stating that they are false and part of a smear campaign. Senate Judiciary Chariman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., has also urged his colleagues to support Mangi and dismiss what he believes to be a smear campaign against the nominee. If Mangi’s nomination is not scheduled for a confirmation vote in 2024, it will expire on its own, requiring him to be nominated again in the next Congress. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has not yet indicated whether he plans to schedule a vote on Mangi’s nomination.
Republican strategist Ron Bonjean, a former Senate spokesman, believes it is unlikely that Mangi’s nomination will survive a Senate confirmation. He suggested that the lack of aggressive defense from the White House may signal that Mangi should withdraw his nomination on his own. Bonjean pointed out that unless the Biden administration changes its strategy, the nomination is likely “dead in the water.” Despite the mounting opposition and concerns surrounding Mangi’s affiliations, the White House remains steadfast in its support of the controversial nominee, emphasizing his qualifications for the role.
