Bob Casey refuses to disclose stance on Biden nominee tied to anti-Israel, anti-police organizations
Sen. Bob Casey Faces Dilemma Over Biden Judicial Nominee Adeel Mangi
Sen. Bob Casey, perhaps more than any other senator, finds himself in a challenging position regarding the confirmation of Biden judicial nominee Adeel Mangi. The Pennsylvania Democrat must decide whether to support Mangi, who has faced criticism for his involvement with anti-Israel and anti-police organizations. However, Casey also faces the possibility of going against his party by voting against President Joe Biden’s historic nomination of the first Muslim to a federal appeals court, the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
A vote in favor of Mangi could have consequences for Casey during a tough reelection campaign, especially since Mangi, if confirmed, will have jurisdiction over Pennsylvania. Dave McCormick, Casey’s Republican opponent, argues that supporting Mangi would be “a vote against Pennsylvania’s Jewish communities and hardworking law enforcement.” Pro-Israel groups and police unions have also urged senators to reject Mangi due to his left-wing affiliations.
The White House is not making it easy for Casey or other swing-state senators. A spokesperson for President Biden expressed pride in nominating Mangi, leaving Casey with a difficult decision to make.
Controversy Surrounding Mangi’s Nomination
Mangi’s nomination has encountered obstacles following revelations about his involvement with a think tank that accused Israel of genocide and his participation in an event that hosted convicted terrorist financiers on the 9/11 anniversary. The Washington Free Beacon reported that Mangi served on the board of directors of the Rutgers Law School Center for Race, Security and Rights, a left-wing group advocating for defunding police departments and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He is currently on the advisory board of a left-wing organization that advocated for the parole of Mumia Abu-Jamal, a black nationalist who murdered a Philadelphia police officer in 1981.
During his confirmation hearing, Mangi evaded questions about the Center for Race, Security and Rights, condemning terrorism but refraining from criticizing the center’s anti-Israel rhetoric.
Casey’s Stance and Criticism
Despite the controversy, Casey has remained silent about his position on Mangi. Neither his Senate office nor his campaign has provided any comments or responses. This has led critics, such as Nate Sizemore, press secretary for Dave McCormick’s campaign, to accuse Casey of hiding from Pennsylvania voters and blindly supporting Biden’s radical nominees.
It is worth noting that Casey has opposed a Democratic nominee in the past. In 2014, he voted against confirming Obama Justice Department nominee Debo Adegbile due to Adegbile’s representation of Abu-Jamal. The Third Circuit, where Mangi would serve if confirmed, overturned Abu-Jamal’s death sentence in 2011.
Mangi’s Affiliations and Opposition
Mangi has not publicly stated his stance on the Abu-Jamal case or the issue of defunding the police. He is part of the advisory board of the Alliance of Families for Justice, which held a rally in 2021 advocating for the parole of Abu-Jamal, Mutulu Shakur, H. Rap Brown, and other convicted cop-killers. The group referred to them as “freedom fighters” and suggested they were targeted because of their involvement in radical black nationalist organizations like the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army.
The National Association of Police Organizations, a union representing 240,000 members, sent a letter to senators stating that Mangi’s work with the Alliance of Families for Justice is disqualifying.
Mangi’s involvement with the Legal Aid Society of New York, where he served on the board of directors until November 2021, is also controversial. The organization called for defunding the New York City Police Department and ICE. Additionally, they sued the city to release hundreds of inmates during the pandemic, including a career criminal charged with murdering his girlfriend and another man charged with attempted rape shortly after his release from jail.
What are the potential consequences for Sen. Casey’s re-election campaign if he supports Adeel Mangi’s nomination?
The Dilemma for Sen. Casey
Sen. Bob Casey faces a difficult decision in determining whether to support Adeel Mangi’s nomination. On one hand, Casey does not want to go against his party and the historic nomination of the first Muslim to a federal appeals court. It is an important moment for representation and diversity in the judicial system. However, on the other hand, Casey must weigh the concerns raised about Mangi’s affiliations with anti-Israel and anti-police organizations.
As a senator from Pennsylvania, Casey cannot ignore the potential consequences of his decision. Supporting Mangi may have an impact on his re-election campaign, with his opponent, Dave McCormick, already criticizing him for potentially aligning against Pennsylvania’s Jewish communities and law enforcement. Pro-Israel groups and police unions have also urged senators to reject Mangi based on his left-wing affiliations.
The White House’s support for Mangi further complicates Casey’s dilemma. President Biden’s pride in nominating Mangi sends a message that the administration stands behind him, potentially pressuring Casey to fall in line with his party’s decision.
The Controversy surrounding Mangi’s Nomination
Mangi’s nomination has been met with controversy due to his involvement with various organizations and events. His association with a think tank that accused Israel of genocide and his participation in an event that hosted convicted terrorist financiers on the anniversary of 9/11 raised concerns about his views on Israel and terrorism.
The Washington Free Beacon highlighted Mangi’s position on the board of directors of the Rutgers Law School Center for Race, Security and Rights, an organization known for advocating the defunding of police departments and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Additionally, Mangi currently serves on the advisory board of a left-wing organization that pushed for the parole of Mumia Abu-Jamal, a black nationalist who was convicted of murdering a Philadelphia police officer in 1981.
During his confirmation hearing, Mangi avoided directly addressing questions about the Center for Race, Security and Rights and its anti-Israel rhetoric. While he condemned terrorism generally, the lack of specific condemnation raised concerns about his viewpoint.
The Decision Ahead
Sen. Bob Casey finds himself at a crossroads with significant implications. His decision to support or oppose Adeel Mangi’s nomination will not only shape the future of the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals but also impact his re-election campaign and potential support from Pennsylvania’s Jewish communities and law enforcement.
The pressure from both sides, alongside the White House’s support for Mangi, adds complexity to an already challenging decision. Ultimately, Casey’s choice will provide insight into his values and priorities as a senator representing Pennsylvania.
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