AGs call for Senate confirmation of Mangi, who would be the first Muslim to sit on a federal appeals court
Chicago — Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 11 attorneys general, urged the U.S. Senate to confirm President Biden’s nomination of Adeel Mangi to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. If confirmed, Mangi would be the first Muslim American to sit on a federal appeals court.
“Adeel Mangi received the highest ranking from the American Bar Association for his integrity, judicial temperament, and competence,” said Raoul. “He has broad support from legal and law enforcement communities and is exceedingly qualified for the position. His appointment would be a historic milestone that is long overdue. I urge the Senate to confirm Adeel Mangi.”
Mangi is a partner with Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, one of the country’s premier law firms, where he handles complex corporate matters and maintains a significant pro bono practice on behalf of underrepresented and vulnerable people and communities.
In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Raoul and the coalition note that despite Mangi’s many qualifications, he is currently subject to “an orchestrated campaign of anti-Muslim bias” that includes “dangerous claims that he is antisemitic and anti law enforcement.” At a time when hate against Muslim Americans is on the rise, “unfounded” attacks such as these are “unacceptable and should be rejected outright by those we elect to make important decisions such as who will serve on our federal judiciary.”
The attorneys general conclude their letter to Senate leadership by writing that “Mr. Mangi has repeatedly demonstrated that he possesses the fair-mindedness, commitment to equal justice for all, and temperament befitting of this position.” The coalition argues that Mangi deserves to have his full record reviewed fairly and calls on the senators to be “on the right side of history.”
Joining Attorney General Raoul in the letter urging Mangi's confirmation are the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Vermont.
