White House Backs Pakistani-American Lawyer for Judicial Role Amid Criticism

The White House has strongly criticized the opposition faced by Pakistani-American lawyer Adeel Mangi, nominated to serve on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, highlighting a campaign against him rooted in Islamophobia. If confirmed, Mangi would make history as the first Muslim-American judge on a federal appellate court. This nomination, made by President Joe Biden in November of the previous year, has encountered resistance from some Senate Republicans who have levied unfounded accusations against Mangi, labeling him as anti-police—a claim vehemently denied by numerous law enforcement organizations that have endorsed him.

White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients condemned these attacks as baseless and motivated by prejudice. He emphasized Mangi's embodiment of the American dream and the core values of the nation. The administration has called on the Senate to reject these unfounded accusations and confirm Mangi's nomination. This situation unfolds against the backdrop of President Biden's efforts, in collaboration with Majority Leader Schumer and Judiciary Chair Durbin, to confirm 190 life-tenured federal judges amidst a narrowly divided Senate.

The opposition to Mangi's nomination has been marked by Islamophobic rhetoric from Republican Senators including Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton, and Josh Hawley. These attacks have been described by the White House as vulgar and demanding of an apology to Mangi. Despite these challenges, Biden and his administration continue to support Mangi's nomination, highlighting his qualifications and commitment to fairness, impartiality, and the rule of law.

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J Platkin and Pakistani-American Khizr Khan have both spoken out against the Islamophobic nature of the attacks on Mangi. Platkin noted that Mangi has been baselessly labeled a "terrorist" and accused of anti-Semitism without any evidence. Khan pointed out that during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in December, Republican senators focused on questioning Mangi's stance on terrorism and Hamas rather than his legal qualifications or philosophy.

Jennifer Bendery of the Huffington Post reported that Mangi, a civil litigator with 23 years of experience based in New Jersey, has been unanimously rated well-qualified by the American Bar Association. He has received praise for his legal and pro bono work from various organizations, including the AFL-CIO and more than a dozen Jewish groups. Despite this, Mangi has been targeted by Islamophobic attacks from Republican senators and right-wing groups like the Judicial Crisis Network, which have falsely accused him of being a radical, an antisemite, and supportive of global terrorism.

The White House's defense of Mangi underscores a broader concern about prejudice influencing the judicial nomination process. The administration's stance reflects a commitment to overcoming hate-based opposition and ensuring that qualified individuals, regardless of their background or faith, have the opportunity to serve in significant judicial positions.