In recent days, multiple Democratic senators and their staff have privately expressed concerns to the White House about the lack of sufficient votes in the Senate to confirm Adeel Mangi, President Joe Biden's Muslim-American judicial nominee, according to sources familiar with the conversations. These warnings have raised doubts about the confirmation of one of Biden's top-priority judicial picks.

Mangi, a New York-based litigator, was nominated by President Biden in November for a position on the US Third Circuit Court of Appeals. If confirmed, he would become the first Muslim-American to serve on any federal appeals court. However, it has been indicated by some allies of the White House that there is insufficient support, including among Democrats, to secure Mangi's confirmation in the full Senate.

The controversy surrounding Mangi's nomination comes at a tumultuous time of heightened political tensions across the country, following Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7. During his confirmation hearing before the Judiciary Committee in December, Mangi faced tough questioning from lawmakers, particularly from Republican members, regarding his views on the Israel-Hamas war, the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and his connection to a group that has been described as anti-Semitic.

One notable exchange took place between Mangi and Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who highlighted Mangi's association with the Center for Security, Race and Rights at Rutgers University. Cruz characterized the group as embracing "extremism and myopia," along with expressing anti-Semitic perspectives. Mangi clarified that he served on the center's advisory board, which focused on academic research, and claimed no knowledge of any potentially contentious events or speakers hosted by the group.

While the White House remains committed to Mangi's confirmation, it has encountered resistance from conservative lawmakers. White House chief of staff Jeff Zientz, congressional affairs director Shuwanza Goff, White House counsel Ed Siskel, and other top officials have been working tirelessly to gain support for Mangi's nomination. However, their efforts have faced challenges, leaving the confirmation in doubt.

In response to these developments, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates emphasized that Mangi is an "extraordinarily qualified nominee" who would bring diversity and integrity to the bench. Bates denounced what he called a "debunked right-wing smear campaign" against Mangi, highlighting support from the Anti-Defamation League. The White House has called on senators, specifically Senator Cruz, to apologize to Mangi and has vocally criticized what it perceives as Islamophobic attacks from Republicans.

Although the Senate Judiciary Committee narrowly advanced Mangi's nomination, the ongoing criticism from conservative lawmakers continues to cast doubts on his confirmation. Democratic lawmakers, including Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, have voiced concerns about the treatment and questioning of Mangi, suggesting that his religion has unfairly influenced the scrutiny he has faced.

The confirmation of Adeel Mangi, as the first Muslim-American federal appeals court judge, remains uncertain as Democratic senators and the White House navigate challenges in garnering sufficient support within the Senate. The outcome of this confirmation process could have significant implications for the Biden administration's efforts to prioritize diversity within the judicial system.