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.

Did Wisconsin Just Offer a Glimpse of a Post-Trump Future?

Did Wisconsin Just Offer a Glimpse of a Post-Trump Future? Did Wisconsin Just Offer a Glimpse of a Post-Trump Future?

In this week’s Elie v. US, Elie opines on the meaning of the Wisconsin Supreme court election. Plus: should you be able to claim your dog as a dependent on your tax returns?

Apr 10, 2026 / Elie Mystal

Five years after the January 6, 2021, violent insurrection in Washington, DC, seeking to overthrow the election results, members of the activist group Rise and Resist gathered at the steps of the New York Public Library holding signs and banners for a public reading of the new list of impeachable offenses attributed to Donald Trump in his second term and to demand the release of the Epstein files.

We Have 2 Weeks to Stop Trump From Committing New Atrocities We Have 2 Weeks to Stop Trump From Committing New Atrocities

It is up to the American people, and our elected representatives, to use every legal means available—from impeachment to protest.

Apr 9, 2026 / Elie Mystal

Demonstrators rally in support of birthright citizenship outside the Supreme Court on April 1, 2026.

The Supreme Court Absolutely Shredded Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Case The Supreme Court Absolutely Shredded Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Case

But this also begs the question: why is this facially unconstitutional case before the court in the first place?

Apr 2, 2026 / Elie Mystal

The façade of the Supreme Court Building.

The Supreme Court Just Condemned Countless Kids to Psychiatric Abuse The Supreme Court Just Condemned Countless Kids to Psychiatric Abuse

The court’s 8–1 ruling overturning Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy is a disaster for LGBTQ+ kids—and also for the healthcare profession.

Apr 1, 2026 / Elie Mystal

Nothing Works in Trump’s America—Except Racism

Nothing Works in Trump’s America—Except Racism Nothing Works in Trump’s America—Except Racism

In this week’s Elie v. U.S., our justice correspondent explores Trump’s stunning incompetence. Plus: Baseball is back—for now.

Mar 27, 2026 / Elie Mystal

An election worker sorts mail-in ballots for the 2024 presidential election in Martinez, California, on Election Day.

The Supreme Court Looks Likely to Cave on Mail-In Ballots The Supreme Court Looks Likely to Cave on Mail-In Ballots

The GOP shouldn’t win this case, but the fact that Trump has been throwing a tantrum about it for years means they likely will.

Mar 24, 2026 / Elie Mystal

Donald Trump Throws Another Big Tariff Tanty

Donald Trump Throws Another Big Tariff Tanty Donald Trump Throws Another Big Tariff Tanty

And other essential news of the week—including new legislation on prediction markets and a threat to the critically endangered Rice’s whale.

Mar 20, 2026 / Elie Mystal

President Donald Trump flanked by Vice President JD Vance, from left and House Speaker Mike Johnson during the 2026 State of the Union address.

Why Does the Supreme Court Treat Trump Like a “Regular” President? Why Does the Supreme Court Treat Trump Like a “Regular” President?

The emperor is stark naked, but thanks to a misguided legal doctrine, the Republican justices keep insisting he’s fully clothed.

Mar 16, 2026 / Column / Elie Mystal

Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD)

Jamie Raskin Just Told John Roberts: “The Emperor Has No Clothes” Jamie Raskin Just Told John Roberts: “The Emperor Has No Clothes”

In this week’s Elie v. US, The Nation’s justice correspondent hails Raskin’s bold call-out. Plus, a counterintuitive take on the SAVE Act and a controversial video-game ...

Mar 13, 2026 / Elie Mystal

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, chief product officer Mike Krieger and head of communications Sasha de Marigny give a press conference on May 22, 2025.

Anthropic’s Lawsuit Should Absolutely Destroy the Pentagon in Court Anthropic’s Lawsuit Should Absolutely Destroy the Pentagon in Court

But make no mistake: The company is not one of the good guys.

Mar 11, 2026 / Elie Mystal

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