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 US Supreme Court Building.

This Supreme Court Case Could Make It Even Harder to Tax Rich People This Supreme Court Case Could Make It Even Harder to Tax Rich People

The case Moore v. United States arose over a disputed $15,000 tax bill. It could cost the United States billions.

Dec 6, 2023 / Elie Mystal

Senator Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), speaks during the Senate Judiciary Committee markup hearing on Thursday, November 30, 2023.

Why Senate Republicans Threw an Epic Hissy Fit Yesterday Why Senate Republicans Threw an Epic Hissy Fit Yesterday

GOP Judiciary Committee members stormed out of a committee meeting after Democrats tried to hold a vote to subpoena wealthy judicial influence-buyers.

Dec 1, 2023 / Elie Mystal

Judge David Ryan Stras is sworn in for his confirmation hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, November 29, 2017.

A Rando Trump Judge Just Blew a Giant Hole in the Voting Rights Act A Rando Trump Judge Just Blew a Giant Hole in the Voting Rights Act

In a shocking decision, Judge David Stras joined with fellow GOP appointee Raymond Gruender to make the VRA virtually unenforceable in seven states.

Nov 29, 2023 / Elie Mystal

Donald Trump gestures during the Florida Freedom Summit at the Gaylord Palms Resort on November 4, 2023, in Kissimmee, Fla.

The 14th Amendment Isn’t Going to Save Us From Donald Trump The 14th Amendment Isn’t Going to Save Us From Donald Trump

Yes, Donald Trump’s attempt to foment an insurrection should bar him from running for president, but no judge will have the raw courage to kick him off the ballot.

Nov 21, 2023 / Elie Mystal

Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, speaks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. Russia’s occupation of Ukraine threatens to weaken Moscow’s power but leave it more determined to confront the US and allies and to wield nuclear threats, a top US spy said.

Goodbye, Joe Manchin—We Won’t Miss You Goodbye, Joe Manchin—We Won’t Miss You

The departure of the pro–fossil fuel, pro–Big Pharma senator from West Virginia is not the tragedy many Democrats think it is.

Nov 16, 2023 / Elie Mystal

Government watchdog Accountable.US shines a light on the facade of the Supreme Court Building as part of a campaign calling attention to corruption on the court.

The Supreme Court’s New Ethics Code Won’t Stop the Corruption The Supreme Court’s New Ethics Code Won’t Stop the Corruption

For all the hype, the high court’s flashy new ethics rules are little more than a PR stunt designed to take the heat off scandal-plagued justices.

Nov 14, 2023 / Elie Mystal

A bump stock on an AK-47 at Good Guys Gun and Range on February 21, 2018, in Orem, Utah.

The Supreme Court’s Next Big Gun Case Puts Us All in the Crosshairs The Supreme Court’s Next Big Gun Case Puts Us All in the Crosshairs

If the court rules in favor of the gun lobby, we could see a return of bump stocks, which turn semiautomatic rifles into machine guns.

Nov 7, 2023 / Elie Mystal

Attorney for former US president Donald Trump John Lauro (R) departs the E. Barrett Prettyman US Court House, October 16, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

Trump’s Lawyers Should Be Laughed Out of Court Trump’s Lawyers Should Be Laughed Out of Court

The latest attempt by the former president’s legal team to get his election subversion case dismissed is a case study in desperate legal maneuvering.

Oct 25, 2023 / Elie Mystal

US President Joe Biden meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023.

Biden’s Israel-Palestine Policy Could Cost Him the Election Biden’s Israel-Palestine Policy Could Cost Him the Election

The president’s blank-check support of Israel’s war on Gaza is alienating many of the Black and brown voters he needs to win reelection.

Oct 23, 2023 / Elie Mystal

Apartment buildings in New York City,

The Fate of Your Rent May Be in the Supreme Court’s Hands The Fate of Your Rent May Be in the Supreme Court’s Hands

The nation’s highest court is weighing whether to hear two rent-regulation cases that could gut renter protection laws.

Oct 20, 2023 / Elie Mystal

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