Elie Mystal

Justice Correspondent & Columnist

@ElieNYC

Elie Mystal is The Nation’s justice correspondent and a columnist. He is also an Alfred Knobler Fellow at the Type Media Center. He is the author of two books: the New York Times bestseller Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution and Bad Law: Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America, both published by The New Press. You can subscribe to his Nation newsletter “Elie v. U.S.” here.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth laughs during a cabinet meeting hosted by President Donald Trump on December 2, 2025.

Pete Hegseth Should Be Charged With Murder Pete Hegseth Should Be Charged With Murder

No matter how you look at the strikes on alleged “drug boats”—as acts of war or attacks on civilians—Hegseth has committed a crime and should be prosecuted.

Dec 3, 2025 / Elie Mystal

The White House Press Corps Is an Embarrassment

The White House Press Corps Is an Embarrassment The White House Press Corps Is an Embarrassment

In this week’s Elie v. U.S., The Nation’s justice correspondent digs into some of the failures of the fourth estate—along with a new gerrymandering case, Larry Summers, and more.

Nov 21, 2025 / Elie Mystal

Former US treasury secretary Larry Summers.

Why Is Larry Summers Still Employed? Why Is Larry Summers Still Employed?

The revelations about the economist’s attempts to pressure a woman into a “relationship”—with guidance from Jeffrey Epstein—should finally disqualify him from teaching students.

Nov 19, 2025 / Elie Mystal

There Are Two Parties: Republicans and Cowards

There Are Two Parties: Republicans and Cowards There Are Two Parties: Republicans and Cowards

In this week’s Elie v. U.S., The Nation’s justice correspondent digs into the fallout from the Democrats’ shutdown letdown. Plus: why the SNAP fight is far from over—and Kim Karda...

Nov 14, 2025 / Elie Mystal

Senator Tim Kaine, one of eight Democrats who voted to end the shutdow, speaks to members of the media on November 10, 2025.

Democrats Should Have Let Republicans Kill the Filibuster Democrats Should Have Let Republicans Kill the Filibuster

Instead of caving on the shutdown, Democrats should have waited for the GOP to cave on Trump’s demand to scotch this antidemocratic tactic.

Nov 11, 2025 / Elie Mystal

This Halloween, the Ghouls and Zombies Are Real

This Halloween, the Ghouls and Zombies Are Real This Halloween, the Ghouls and Zombies Are Real

In this week’s Elie v. U.S., The Nation’s justice correspondent digs into Team Trump’s numerous Hatch Act violations. Also: why he loathes Halloween.

Oct 31, 2025 / Elie Mystal

Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with business leaders in Tokyo, Japan.

Here’s Why Trump Has Been Flirting With a Third Term Here’s Why Trump Has Been Flirting With a Third Term

Trump cannot be president again. But he and his loyal followers have every reason for wanting to make people think he can.

Oct 30, 2025 / Elie Mystal

A federal agents takes aim at Chicago residents in the East Side neighborhood on October 14, 2025.

The Fate of Our Cities Is Now in the Supreme Court’s Hands The Fate of Our Cities Is Now in the Supreme Court’s Hands

In this week’s Elie v. U.S., The Nation’s justice correspondent warns of an upcoming SCOTUS case—and hails the wisdom of Uncle Iroh.

Oct 24, 2025 / Elie Mystal

Dion Green, a survivor of a 2019 mass shooting, speaks in front of the Supreme Court Building.

Don’t Fall for the Supreme Court’s “Pro-Weed” Gun Case Don’t Fall for the Supreme Court’s “Pro-Weed” Gun Case

The case, which proposes expanding gun access to drug users, is not an opportunity—it‘s a trap.

Oct 23, 2025 / Elie Mystal

Donald Trump smiles during an announcement in the Oval Office on October 16, 2025.

Another Banner Week for White Supremacists Another Banner Week for White Supremacists

In this week's Elie v. U.S., The Nation's justice correspondent connects the dots between the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Case and Trump’s whites-only refugee policy.

Oct 17, 2025 / Elie Mystal

x