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.

The Suburban Commute Is a Soul-Crushing, Environment-Destroying Invention

The Suburban Commute Is a Soul-Crushing, Environment-Destroying Invention The Suburban Commute Is a Soul-Crushing, Environment-Destroying Invention

The last few months have shown us that we can do away with it forever.

Jun 2, 2020 / Feature / Elie Mystal

Bill de Blasio Has Failed the Test of This Moment

Bill de Blasio Has Failed the Test of This Moment Bill de Blasio Has Failed the Test of This Moment

New York’s mayor has floundered in the face of stunning police violence—just like so many other mayors who aren’t prepared to rein in the cops.

Jun 1, 2020 / Elie Mystal

Minneapolis protests for George Floyd

People Can Only Bear So Much Injustice Before Lashing Out People Can Only Bear So Much Injustice Before Lashing Out

As the media denounces the Minneapolis protesters, it’s worth remembering that it takes incredible strength to practice nonviolence in the face of murder and oppression.

May 28, 2020 / Elie Mystal

There’s Only One Possible Conclusion: White America Likes Its Killer Cops

There’s Only One Possible Conclusion: White America Likes Its Killer Cops There’s Only One Possible Conclusion: White America Likes Its Killer Cops

There’s a straight line connecting Derek Chauvin to Amy Cooper—and that line is white support of police violence.

May 27, 2020 / Elie Mystal

You Can’t Mask Stupid

You Can’t Mask Stupid You Can’t Mask Stupid

The very people howling the loudest about reopening—and running around maskless—are the ones making it too dangerous to reopen.

May 21, 2020 / Elie Mystal

Breonna Taylor Was Murdered for Sleeping While Black

Breonna Taylor Was Murdered for Sleeping While Black Breonna Taylor Was Murdered for Sleeping While Black

The circumstances of Taylor’s murder by cops, who barged into her home late at night, are shocking. They are also common.

May 15, 2020 / Elie Mystal

The Supreme Court Has Given Its Blessing to Public Corruption

The Supreme Court Has Given Its Blessing to Public Corruption The Supreme Court Has Given Its Blessing to Public Corruption

With its Bridgegate decision, the Supreme Court put another nail in the coffin of our corruption laws.

May 14, 2020 / Elie Mystal

SCOTUS May Have Just Decided to Exempt Trump From the Rule of Law

SCOTUS May Have Just Decided to Exempt Trump From the Rule of Law SCOTUS May Have Just Decided to Exempt Trump From the Rule of Law

During landmark oral arguments on Trump’s tax returns, conservative justices made clear they think the president is above the law.

May 13, 2020 / Elie Mystal

A group walks with signs and posters demanding justice for Ahmaud Arbery

We Didn’t Need Video to Know Ahmaud Arbery Was Lynched We Didn’t Need Video to Know Ahmaud Arbery Was Lynched

How many black men are buried while their killers walk free because nobody happened to film their final, terrifying moments?

May 7, 2020 / Elie Mystal

Covid Is About to Become the Newest Excuse for Police Brutality

Covid Is About to Become the Newest Excuse for Police Brutality Covid Is About to Become the Newest Excuse for Police Brutality

Throughout the country, police are being given new powers to enforce social distancing—and that can only mean one thing for Black people.

May 5, 2020 / Elie Mystal

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