WASHINGTON >> The nomination of the first Muslim American to a federal appeals court judgeship is in deep trouble in the Senate, leaving President Joe Biden with a painful choice between withdrawing the name of Adeel Mangi or trying to overcome the opposition at the risk of losing the chance to fill the crucial post before the November elections.

Three Democrats have said they intend to oppose the confirmation of Mangi to the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in response to objections from local law enforcement groups. He has also faced what his backers label an unfounded bigoted assault from Republicans who have accused him of antisemitism and sympathy with terrorists.

If Republicans remain united against him, as expected, and the Democrats cannot be persuaded to change their position, Mangi would lack the votes to be confirmed.

The showdown is a new obstacle for the Biden administration and Senate Democrats as they try to fill as many federal court openings as they can before November. It also has angered Democrats who believe Mangi, a litigator from New Jersey and partner in a New York law firm, has been subjected to a baseless and ugly assault by Republicans because of his religion.

“This has been the most brutal attack I have ever seen on anyone — and that is saying something,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the No. 2 Senate Democrat and chair of the Judiciary Committee. He dismissed any notion of antisemitism on the part of Mangi, saying, “There is no basis whatsoever for even suggesting he has that point of view.”

The seat for which Mangi was nominated is notable since the court, which hears matters from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and the Virgin Islands, is divided 7-6 in favor of judges nominated by Republican presidents. Biden could even the court’s makeup by filling the vacancy.