Staff Reports
President Biden's selection of Adeel Mangi for a federal appeals court judgeship encounters staunch opposition from conservative quarters, casting shadows over the prospects of appointing the first Muslim American judge to such a prestigious position. Pushback intensifies as Pennsylvania's largest police unions, representing a substantial 40,000 officers, voice their dissent in a letter addressed to Senate leadership, urging them to reject Mangi's nomination. Their primary objection stems from Mangi's association with an organization that lauded a cop-killer as a "freedom fighter."
Largest Pennsylvania police union leaders tell Senate to ‘oppose’ Biden judicial nominee https://t.co/YQet98X8li https://t.co/YQet98X8li
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 29, 2024
The police unions leave no room for ambiguity, expressing vehement disapproval of Mangi's nomination, citing grave reservations regarding his affiliations. Their letter, advocating on behalf of their extensive membership, serves as a direct call to Senate leaders to rebuff Mangi's nomination. They specifically highlight Mangi's advisory board role in the Alliance of Families for Justice (AFJ) and its troubling stance on the 1981 murder of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner by Mumia Abu-Jamal.
The AFJ's characterization of Faulkner's murderer as an "elder freedom fighter" during a 2021 event raises significant concerns, especially considering the tragic circumstances of Faulkner's death and the subsequent conviction of his killer. Adding to the apprehension is the AFJ's connection to Kathy Boudin, a founding board member who pleaded guilty to felony murder in a robbery that resulted in the deaths of two police officers in 1981.
In addition to conservative opposition, Mangi's nomination faces resistance from Democratic senators, with Sen. Jacky Rosen joining Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Joe Manchin in opposing his confirmation. With the Democratic majority hanging by a thread and lacking Republican support, Mangi's confirmation remains uncertain.
Despite spirited defenses mounted on Mangi's behalf, including a passionate speech by Sen. Cory Booker, opposition persists. The White House continues to stand by Mangi, decrying the opposition as a "malicious and debunked smear campaign." However, as the Senate reconvenes from recess without a confirmation vote in sight, Mangi's path to the federal appeals court grows increasingly uncertain.
In response to the mounting challenges, conservative voices advocate for the nomination of Zahid Quraishi as a viable alternative, highlighting his successful confirmation as the first Muslim life-tenured federal judge. The conservative resistance to Mangi's nomination underscores the formidable hurdles he must overcome to secure a seat on the federal appeals court.
