Staff Reports
In a recently discovered letter, Adeel Mangi, Joe Biden’s pick for the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, apologized to senators for leaving out crucial details about his involvement with anti-Israel activists. Mangi’s oversight was specifically related to his participation in a conference hosted by the National Association of Muslim Lawyers, an event that featured a convicted terrorist fundraiser. Mangi admitted that he “inadvertently omitted one responsive item” from his questionnaire, adding that he did not recall his involvement in the conference despite diligent efforts to search his records.
#EXCLUSIVE — Biden judicial nominee apologizes to Senate for not disclosing role at event with anti-Israel activists https://t.co/mwFGAOnf4k https://t.co/mwFGAOnf4k
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 12, 2024
After Mangi’s belated disclosure, Republican senators intensified their scrutiny of his nomination, citing concerns about his prior advisory role at Rutgers Law School’s Center for Security, Race and Rights. This center has faced backlash for its controversial stances and affiliations, including hosting events involving individuals with ties to terrorist organizations like Hamas.
One particular concern highlighted by Republicans is the center’s equivocation of the condemnation of Hamas with attempts to “ignore over 75 years of colonial violence,” a position that has sparked fervent criticism. Additionally, Mangi and his law firm, Patterson Belknap, have been linked to donations to the center, drawing further condemnation from conservative groups like the Judicial Crisis Network.
The panel that Mangi moderated at the National Association of Muslim Lawyers’s conference also raised red flags due to the involvement of individuals with connections to organizations accused of supporting terrorist activities. Samira Elhosary, a fellow panelist and lawyer, is associated with the Constitutional Law Center for Muslims in America, which has ties to the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA). MLFA has provided support for entities like the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, which the U.S. government shut down in 2001 over its ties to Hamas.
Carrie Severino, President of the Judicial Crisis Network, expressed skepticism about Mangi’s forthrightness, suggesting that his lack of transparency further compounds the case against his confirmation. Severino’s concerns were amplified by the revelation of internal emails indicating Mangi’s proactive involvement with the panel and his close relationship with Sahar Aziz, the director of the Rutgers center.
Overall, Mangi’s nomination has been mired in controversy due to his association with organizations and events linked to individuals with ties to terrorism. With his disclosure mishap and mounting concerns from Republican senators and conservative groups, the fate of his confirmation remains uncertain.
