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.

I Hope Everyone Is Prepared for Kyle Rittenhouse to Go Free

I Hope Everyone Is Prepared for Kyle Rittenhouse to Go Free I Hope Everyone Is Prepared for Kyle Rittenhouse to Go Free

Even if Rittenhouse somehow draws an impartial jury, he already appears to have landed a very partial judge.

Oct 27, 2021 / Elie Mystal

The Department of Justice Is Letting the Coup Plotters Get Away

The Department of Justice Is Letting the Coup Plotters Get Away The Department of Justice Is Letting the Coup Plotters Get Away

While Congress is investigating the events of January 6, why isn’t the DOJ doing the same—and more?

Oct 26, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Biden’s Supreme Court Commission Was Designed to Fail

Biden’s Supreme Court Commission Was Designed to Fail Biden’s Supreme Court Commission Was Designed to Fail

The commission was set up to give the president and Senate Democrats cover for total inaction on court reform, and its draft findings do just that.

Oct 18, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Stebe-Bannon-Courthouse

Why Isn’t Steve Bannon in Jail? Ask the Democrats. Why Isn’t Steve Bannon in Jail? Ask the Democrats.

Bannon’s refusal to appear before the January 6 Select Committee is a clear case of contempt of Congress, but Democrats aren’t bringing their full power against him.

Oct 15, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Democrats Are Ready to Abandon Black Voters, Again

Democrats Are Ready to Abandon Black Voters, Again Democrats Are Ready to Abandon Black Voters, Again

The data scientist David Shor is urging Democrats to dump their racial justice message if they want to maintain any power. That’s a terrible idea.

Oct 13, 2021 / Elie Mystal

This Is How You Smack Down Texas’s Abortion Ban

This Is How You Smack Down Texas’s Abortion Ban This Is How You Smack Down Texas’s Abortion Ban

On Wednesday, a federal judge in Texas suspended SB 8. His ruling offers a step-by-step legal guide to striking down the law for good.

Oct 8, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Stephen Breyer Is Getting Paid to Play Hamlet

Stephen Breyer Is Getting Paid to Play Hamlet Stephen Breyer Is Getting Paid to Play Hamlet

Rather than retiring, the justice is milking his moment in the sun—publishing a book, giving interviews, and defending his decision not to step down.

Oct 6, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Why Are the Democrats Handing the Judicial Branch Over to the GOP?

Why Are the Democrats Handing the Judicial Branch Over to the GOP? Why Are the Democrats Handing the Judicial Branch Over to the GOP?

Democrats have a chance to reclaim the courts from conservatives by pushing to fill judicial vacancies and expanding the courts. They’re doing neither.

Oct 1, 2021 / Elie Mystal

This Supreme Court Term, Conservatives Have One Aim: Stop Progress

This Supreme Court Term, Conservatives Have One Aim: Stop Progress This Supreme Court Term, Conservatives Have One Aim: Stop Progress

During the next nine months, conservatives justices will use their power to attack abortion rights, weaken gun regulations, and rewind the clock to a darker age.

Sep 30, 2021 / Feature / Elie Mystal

Biden Wasn’t Elected to Scold Racist Border Agents—He Was Elected to Stop Them

Biden Wasn’t Elected to Scold Racist Border Agents—He Was Elected to Stop Them Biden Wasn’t Elected to Scold Racist Border Agents—He Was Elected to Stop Them

The White House bears full responsibility for the Border Patrol agents caught whipping Haitian migrants at the US-Mexico border.

Sep 23, 2021 / Elie Mystal

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