In a significant blow to President Biden's judicial nomination, Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia announced on Thursday that he would not support the confirmation of Adeel Mangi, who, if successful, would become the first Muslim American judge to serve on the federal appeals court. This follows the previous opposition voiced by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, effectively jeopardizing Mangi's chances of being confirmed.

Manchin, who is set to retire at the end of the year, stated in an interview with Politico that he would not back any of President Biden's judicial picks unless they received at least one Republican vote. With Democrats holding a narrow 51-49 majority in the Senate, Mangi would now require support from across the aisle to secure his confirmation.

President Biden first nominated Mangi for the federal bench back in November. However, his nomination has faced intense scrutiny from some Republicans. Notably, Senators Ted Cruz of Texas, Josh Hawley of Missouri, and Tom Cotton of Arkansas have raised concerns about Mangi's views regarding Hamas's attack on Israel last October, as well as his associations with Rutgers University's Center for Security, Race, and Rights.

Senator Cruz has spotlighted comments made by the Rutgers center in support of Palestinians and has argued that Mangi has faced opposition from certain police groups. In response, the White House has maintained that the criticisms and attacks on Mangi are the result of Islamophobia.

While Mangi has received support from seven law enforcement groups and the Anti-Defamation League, the opposition from Senators Manchin and Cortez Masto has cast serious doubt on his confirmation prospects.

On Wednesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre spoke out in defense of Mangi, stating, "Mr. Mangi, who has lived the American Dream and proven his integrity, is being targeted by a malicious and debunked smear campaign solely because he would make history as the first Muslim to serve as a federal appellate judge. Senate Democrats should side with the qualities that make America exceptional, which Mr. Mangi embodies, not the hateful forces trying to force America into the past."

As the battle over Mangi's nomination continues, all eyes are now on whether any Republican senators will come forward to support his confirmation, thus determining the fate of this historic judicial appointment.