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.

Merrick Garland close-up

Why Is Merrick Garland’s DOJ Carrying Water for Bill Barr? Why Is Merrick Garland’s DOJ Carrying Water for Bill Barr?

One answer is that Garland, like many Biden officials, is an institutionalist, more committed to preserving institutions than fighting hard political fights.

May 26, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Laughing Brett Kavanaugh

Brett Kavanaugh Remains As Incorrigible as Ever Brett Kavanaugh Remains As Incorrigible as Ever

In a recent decision, the man who argued he shouldn’t be judged by his youthful indiscretions had no problem sending young people to prison for life without parole.

May 21, 2021 / Column / Elie Mystal

Andrew Womble DA

This Is How Police Get Away With Murdering Black People This Is How Police Get Away With Murdering Black People

Andrew Brown Jr. was killed by cops last month, but the local prosecutor refuses to bring charges because he says the killing was “justified.”

May 19, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Amy Coney Barrett smiling

The Supreme Court May Have Just Signed Roe v. Wade’s Death Warrant The Supreme Court May Have Just Signed Roe v. Wade’s Death Warrant

The newly ultraconservative court has agreed to hear a direct challenge to the landmark 1973 abortion case—a move that can mean nothing good.

May 18, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Marjorie Taylor Green pointing

Marjorie Taylor Greene Is Gunning for AOC—and There’s Only 1 Reason Marjorie Taylor Greene Is Gunning for AOC—and There’s Only 1 Reason

A newly discovered video of Greene harassing AOC in 2019, along with Greene’s attacks on her colleague on the House floor last week, reveal a racism that is as old as it is scary.

May 17, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Return to the Joys of Full-Time Office Work? No, Thanks.

Return to the Joys of Full-Time Office Work? No, Thanks. Return to the Joys of Full-Time Office Work? No, Thanks.

CEOs are touting the benefits of office “culture” as a reason to return to our cubicles. But that culture has often meant harassment, discrimination, and painful water-cooler conve...

May 14, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Dragon fire-blasting a knight

Republicans Will Punish Democrats for Every Reform They Make Republicans Will Punish Democrats for Every Reform They Make

But that shouldn’t stop Democrats from embracing big and sweeping changes while they can.

May 5, 2021 / Column / Elie Mystal

Heart sign for Ma’Khia Bryant

White Supremacy Never Takes a Day Off White Supremacy Never Takes a Day Off

The Chauvin verdict seemed like a victory. Then came the racist reaction to the verdict—and the murder of Ma’Khia Bryant.

Apr 30, 2021 / Elie Mystal for The Nation

Reaction to Chauvin Verdict

The Chauvin Verdict Represents an Absolute Minimum of Justice The Chauvin Verdict Represents an Absolute Minimum of Justice

It’s incredibly important that the jury found Chauvin guilty, but reining in the cops cannot happen through individual prosecutions.

Apr 20, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Supreme Court at night

Why Are Democrats So Determined to Block Court Reform? Why Are Democrats So Determined to Block Court Reform?

The refusal of leaders like Pelosi and Biden to engage with robust court-expansion proposals is an act of pure self-defeat.

Apr 16, 2021 / Elie Mystal

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