Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada is the latest Democrat pledging to withhold support for Adeel Mangi’s nomination to become the first Muslim federal appeals court judge, further jeopardizing his chances for confirmation.
Rosen announced Wednesday that she would oppose confirmation of the New York litigator to the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
“Given the concerns I’ve heard from law enforcement in Nevada, I am not planning to vote to confirm this nominee,” Rosen said in a statement provided by a spokesperson.
Mangi’s been the target of conservative opposition over his advisory role with a criminal justice non-profit co-founded by a woman convicted in a notorious armored truck robbery that led to police killings.
They also raised concerns about his association with a law school center they say has platformed pro-terrorism and antisemitic material about the Israel-Hamas war and 9/11.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) has said Republicans “will continue to oppose the nominee who has repeatedly chosen instead to mingle with supporters of terrorists and cop-killers.”
Mangi has disputed Republican claims as baseless. The White House has called efforts against him in and outside the Senate a “cruel, Islamophobic, smear campaign.”
Republicans have highlighted letters from law enforcement organizations urging senators not to support Mangi. A conservative group also has launched anti-Mangi digital ads in states where Democrats are vulnerable in November.
They hold a 51-49 seat majority and have several tough races. Rosen is up for reelection to a seat Republicans hope to flip. Her Senate Democratic colleague, Catherine Cortez Masto, is also opposing Mangi.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who isn’t running for reelection, has said he’ll continue to oppose any of Joe Biden’s judicial nominees who lack Republican support.
Mangi received no GOP support in the Judiciary Committee when it advanced his nomination to the floor.
Key Republican swing votes have been publicly uncommitted on Mangi’s nomination. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has yet to schedule floor action.
—With assistance from Tiana Headley
