Breaking News: President Biden Nominates First Muslim American Judge for Federal Appeals Court

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President Joe Biden has announced his intention to nominate Adeel A. Mangi, a distinguished attorney, as the first Muslim American judge on a federal appeals court. This groundbreaking move, set to bring professional and demographic diversity to the judiciary, has been highly anticipated.

Mangi, a partner at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, is known for his extensive legal experience, including serving on the board of the Muslim Bar Association of New York and being an ally board member for the National LGBT Bar Association. His nomination is for the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, covering Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Virgin Islands.

His notable legal achievements include securing a $2 billion verdict in a significant trade secret theft case in the software industry and representing a multi-faith religious coalition in a case that reached the Supreme Court.

This nomination comes amid Biden’s efforts to counter increasing Islamophobia and growing threats against Muslims and Jewish communities. It also follows Biden’s recent pressure due to his stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has been a point of contention among Muslim voters.

In addition to Mangi, Biden will announce other nominees, including St. Joseph County Judge Cristal Brisco, poised to become the first Black woman on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.

This move marks a significant milestone in Biden’s ongoing effort to diversify the federal judiciary, building on his previous appointments of 150 federal judges, aiming to surpass the numbers achieved by his predecessors, Donald Trump and Barack Obama.