Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on Thursday slammed Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) for opposing a federal judge nominee on religious grounds.
President Joe Biden has nominated Adeel Abdullah Mangi to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. If successful, his controversial nomination would make him the highest-ranking Muslim in the federal judiciary.
Mangi's nomination is uncontroversial because of his faith. Rather, Mangi served on the advisory board of Rutgers University School of Law. Controversial Center for Safety, Race and Rights Cruz said the organization has a history of anti-Semitism and deep anti-Israel sentiment and has hosted at least one speaker in the past. Who has been criminally convicted? For supporting the terrorist organization Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Mangi insisted during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last month that he had no role in the controversial decision or his relationship with CSRR.
Before the committee's vote on Mangi's nomination, Cruz spent 10 minutes reminding senators of concerns about Mangi's ties to CSRR.
But Mr. Durbin did not respond to those concerns and instead insulted Mr. Cruz.
“What is it about Adeel Mangi that has drawn such criticism? We know what the starting point is. He will be the first Muslim American appointed to the circuit bench. '' Durbin said.
“And we know that's why he's a target. … So what is this guy? And why should we be concerned? You just listened to the presentation, The suggestion is that because of his background he is a likely target because he is a Muslim-American, so he is either an anti-Semite or a terrorist.”
Mr. Cruz was not satisfied with Mr. Durbin's accusation that his opposition to Mr. Mangi's nomination was because of his Muslim faith.
“You just made a false accusation and attacked my character. I say that's a disgrace!” Cruz reprimanded. “Did you react in any way to the substance of what I said? No, you just attacked me and called me a bigot, and you responded with a deliberate falsehood.”
And when Durbin tried to interrupt him, Cruz shushed him.
“I'm sorry, but when you criticize my character in a way that is worst for this committee, I have the right to defend myself,” he said. “You did not dispute any of the facts that I have stated about the organizations he was an advisor to, a donor to, and raised money for.”
Mr. Durbin later said that Mr. Mangi had “nothing to do with” CSRR, sparking new flames under the Cruz administration.
“Did he just say he had nothing to do with this organization? Did he seriously say that in this hearing?” Cruz interjected. “He was on the advisory board, he was a donor, he was raising money for it, and you said you had nothing to do with them?”
“You see? You're twisting this situation,” Durbin accused.
Mr. Cruz then asked Mr. Durbin if he truly believed that Mr. Mangi had “no connection” to CSRR, and Mr. Durbin refused to answer.
“Okay, you're refusing to answer because it's clearly indefensible and false,” Cruz said.
After tense moments, the Democratic-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee voted 11-10 to advance Mangi's nomination to the full Senate.
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