Elie Mystal

Justice Correspondent & Columnist

@ElieNYC

Elie Mystal is The Nation’s justice correspondent and the host of its legal podcast, Contempt of Court. He is also an Alfred Knobler Fellow at the Type Media Center. His first book is the New York Times bestseller Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution, published by The New Press. Elie can be followed @ElieNYC.

Let’s Talk About Ron DeSantis’s “Reason” for Kidnapping Migrants

Let’s Talk About Ron DeSantis’s “Reason” for Kidnapping Migrants Let’s Talk About Ron DeSantis’s “Reason” for Kidnapping Migrants

The media has done a poor job of questioning the Florida governor, but the few explanations he's given are shocking.

Sep 26, 2022 / Elie Mystal

Tish James Got the Goods on the Trump Family Grift—Now What?

Tish James Got the Goods on the Trump Family Grift—Now What? Tish James Got the Goods on the Trump Family Grift—Now What?

While it's nice to learn more about the crimes Trump & Co. committed, what many of us really want is to know when he’ll be held accountable.

Sep 22, 2022 / Elie Mystal

Supporters of former US president Donald Trump drive around the Paul G. Rogers Federal Building and Courthouse in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The Trump Judges Are Officially Running the Show The Trump Judges Are Officially Running the Show

The rulings by Judge Aileen Cannon on Trump’s behalf in the classified documents case aren’t just one-off legal absurdities—they’re examples of decisions to come. 

Sep 19, 2022 / Elie Mystal for The Nation

Let’s Call DeSantis’s Migrant Stunt What It Is—Kidnapping

Let’s Call DeSantis’s Migrant Stunt What It Is—Kidnapping Let’s Call DeSantis’s Migrant Stunt What It Is—Kidnapping

It’s a crime to dupe somebody and then ship them across state lines—and it’s time to hold GOP governors accountable for doing just that.

Sep 16, 2022 / Elie Mystal

Senator Lindsey Graham

Lindsey Graham’s Abortion Ban Is a Joke—and We Should Be Terrified Lindsey Graham’s Abortion Ban Is a Joke—and We Should Be Terrified

The senator's proposed abortion ban is a political stunt that has little chance of passing. It's also a preview of worse things to come.

Sep 15, 2022 / Elie Mystal

What Will It Take to Stymie Right-Wing Supervillain Leonard Leo?

What Will It Take to Stymie Right-Wing Supervillain Leonard Leo? What Will It Take to Stymie Right-Wing Supervillain Leonard Leo?

With the help of $1.6 billion, the man who helped engineer the conservative takeover of the courts is about to wreak serious havoc.

Sep 7, 2022 / Column / Elie Mystal

Will a 300-Year-Old Legal Clause Get Lindsey Graham Off the Hook?

Will a 300-Year-Old Legal Clause Get Lindsey Graham Off the Hook? Will a 300-Year-Old Legal Clause Get Lindsey Graham Off the Hook?

Graham cited the Speech and Debate Clause in an attempt to avoid testifying about Trump’s apparent election fraud in Georgia. He might get away with it.

Aug 24, 2022 / Elie Mystal

Sonia Sotomayor, by Tim O'Brien

How Sonia Sotomayor Became the Conscience of the Supreme Court How Sonia Sotomayor Became the Conscience of the Supreme Court

The former prosecutor was never a liberal firebrand. Now it is she, more than any other justice, who puts progressive outrage into words.

Aug 22, 2022 / Feature / Elie Mystal

Trump Didn’t Bring Down Liz Cheney—Her Conservative White Base Did

Trump Didn’t Bring Down Liz Cheney—Her Conservative White Base Did Trump Didn’t Bring Down Liz Cheney—Her Conservative White Base Did

Cheney, like her father, spent a lifetime feeding the rage of right-wing Republicans. Now they’ve turned on her.

Aug 18, 2022 / Elie Mystal

Trump Is a Criminal—Will Any of These 4 Investigations Snare Him?

Trump Is a Criminal—Will Any of These 4 Investigations Snare Him? Trump Is a Criminal—Will Any of These 4 Investigations Snare Him?

Here’s where things stand with the investigations into the former president—from his potential violation of the Espionage Act to his role in the January 6 insurrection.

Aug 17, 2022 / Elie Mystal

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