Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was forced to abandon his push to confirm Adeel Mangi to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals after the nominee faced growing bipartisan opposition. Mangi, whose nomination was heavily criticized due to his affiliations with anti-police and radical political groups, will no longer be considered for the lifetime position.
Mangi’s nomination was challenged by both Republicans and some moderate Democrats who were concerned about his ties to the Rutgers Center for Security, Race, and Rights, an organization known for its extreme views on law enforcement. Additionally, Mangi’s connection to the Alliance of Families for Justice, a group that had referred to infamous cop killers as “freedom fighters,” fueled further opposition. These associations were seen as disqualifying for a federal judicial appointment.
Democrats have finally acknowledged the reality that @LindseyGrahamSC has been talking about for months.
Adeel Mangi is simply too radical to be confirmed to a lifetime seat on the bench. https://t.co/7Fz9zfgpYS
— Emily Flower (@_emily_flower) November 22, 2024
In an effort to salvage some of Biden’s judicial agenda, Schumer struck a deal with Republicans, agreeing to pull Mangi and three other controversial appellate nominees in exchange for the confirmation of a dozen district court nominees. This deal ultimately allows President-elect Donald Trump to fill key appellate court vacancies with conservative judges, marking a significant setback for Biden’s judicial ambitions.
Joe Biden's nominee for a federal appellate court, Adeel Mangi, was a board member of a group that advocated for cop-killers.
Cop-killers should never be released into society. It’s a no-brainer.
He is so far left that even some Democrats are opposing his nomination. pic.twitter.com/nGjFRRS35n
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 15, 2024
Despite this win for Republicans, Biden’s efforts to reshape the judiciary continue. Senate Republicans must remain vigilant in their opposition to future radical judicial nominees and ensure that the courts are filled with qualified, fair judges who respect the rule of law.
Mangi’s withdrawal reflects the strength of bipartisan opposition to judicial nominees who do not align with American values, showing that even in the face of a Democratic-controlled Senate, Republicans can block extreme judicial picks.
