The White House is fiercely fighting for the confirmation of Adeel Mangi, a nominee for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals who would be the first Muslim American federal judge. They are countering baseless accusations of being anti-police with law enforcement endorsements. However, three Democratic senators have come out against his nomination, putting it in jeopardy. Senior White House officials have been lobbying senators to confirm Mangi without delay in light of the potential split in the Senate.
Mangi’s nomination presents a challenge for President Joe Biden as he seeks re-election, especially with his administration’s strained relationship with Muslim Americans due to their disapproval of U.S. support for Israel. The White House has garnered support for Mangi from former New Jersey attorneys general, U.S. attorneys, and law enforcement groups, highlighting his support for the U.S. Constitution and equal justice for all Americans. President Biden’s relationship with Muslim Americans will be crucial for his campaign in key states like Michigan.
The opposition to Mangi stems from his association with the Rutgers Law School Center for Security, Race, and Rights, particularly an event featuring a speaker who had ties to terrorism. While Mangi claims to have had no involvement in the speaker events, Republicans have criticized him for this connection. With no Republican support for Mangi and opposition from key Democratic senators, the future of his nomination remains uncertain, especially with the limited time for Democrats to confirm nominees without Republican assistance.
Criticism against Mangi has been labeled as “cruel and Islamophobic attacks” by senior White House officials, accusing Republicans of a “smear effort” against him. Democratic senators like Joe Manchin and Catherine Cortez Masto have expressed their disapproval of Mangi’s nomination, further complicating his path to confirmation. With the support of only 51 Democratic senators and no Republicans in favor of him, it will be challenging for Mangi to secure the necessary votes.
The dilemma for President Biden lies in deciding whether to push for Mangi’s confirmation or withdraw his nomination to make way for another nominee before potentially losing control of the Senate. Some senators, like Lisa Murkowski, have not yet evaluated Mangi’s nomination and are waiting for it to be brought up for discussion. If Mangi cannot secure the support he needs for confirmation, it would be easier for President Biden to move forward with a new nominee if his nomination is withdrawn.
As the battle over Mangi’s nomination continues, it remains to be seen whether he can secure the necessary votes for confirmation. President Biden and the White House are advocating for his confirmation, highlighting his qualifications and endorsements from law enforcement organizations. However, with opposition from both Democratic and Republican senators, the future of Mangi’s nomination as the first Muslim American federal judge remains uncertain.
