Criminal Justice

An upside-down view of a flag reading

There Was No Trump Violence This Week. But What’s Coming? There Was No Trump Violence This Week. But What’s Coming?

Jeff Sharlet’s incomparable new book The Undertow explains why the worst is probably yet to come.

Apr 6, 2023 / Joan Walsh

Donald Trump waves to the crowd outside the New York criminal courthouse.

Trump Stole an Election. 34 Felonies Are Just the Start. Trump Stole an Election. 34 Felonies Are Just the Start.

The charges against Trump matter, but the prosecutor was clear that he committed his crimes to beat Hillary Clinton. Maybe that’s why, at Mar-a-Lago, his self-righteousness seemed ...

Apr 5, 2023 / Joan Walsh

Former US president Donald Trump appears in a Manhattan court during his arraignment on April 4, 2023, in New York City.

Trump’s Indictment Is a Slap on the Wrist, but Accountability Has to Start Somewhere Trump’s Indictment Is a Slap on the Wrist, but Accountability Has to Start Somewhere

This isn’t the case of our dreams, but Trump very likely committed these crimes. He should be prosecuted for them. And other prosecutions should follow.

Apr 4, 2023 / Elie Mystal

woman holds anti-Trump sign

Trump’s Indictment Will Dominate the 2024 Election Trump’s Indictment Will Dominate the 2024 Election

The GOP’s defense of the former president means the election will be a referendum on the rule of law.

Mar 31, 2023 / Jeet Heer

Chicago mayoral candidates Brandon Johnson, left, and Paul Vallas

Chicago’s Election Will Shape the Future of Public Safety in America Chicago’s Election Will Shape the Future of Public Safety in America

Paul Vallas promises that he’ll grow the police force. Brandon Johnson says that to build safety, he’ll “invest in people.” What does that mean, and what are voters choosing betwee...

Mar 31, 2023 / Eric Reinhart

Donald Trump at a rally

Donald Trump Has Been Indicted. Don’t Get Your Hopes Up. Donald Trump Has Been Indicted. Don’t Get Your Hopes Up.

This is the first real attempt to hold Trump legally accountable for any of his many alleged crimes. But the odds of securing real justice seem very long.

Mar 30, 2023 / Elie Mystal

It’s Been a Year. Why Hasn’t Biden Freed Eyvin Hernandez?

It’s Been a Year. Why Hasn’t Biden Freed Eyvin Hernandez? It’s Been a Year. Why Hasn’t Biden Freed Eyvin Hernandez?

The LA public defender was wrongfully and arbitrarily detained in Venezuela one year ago this week. It’s past time for the US government to bring him back.

Mar 30, 2023 / Traci Blackburn, Henry Martinez, and Bahar Mirhosseni

A protester holds up a long, rectangular banner that reads

Women Are Waiting to Cheer the Misogynist’s Indictment Women Are Waiting to Cheer the Misogynist’s Indictment

Donald Trump’s fall at the hands of proud porn actor Stormy Daniels would signal a rough but delightful kind of justice for millions of us.

Mar 23, 2023 / Joan Walsh

Reporters outside the front doors of the Los Angeles Criminal court.

What Justice Really Means for Sexual Assault Survivors What Justice Really Means for Sexual Assault Survivors

Making an example of Harvey Weinstein, recently sentenced to prison, sends a message to the community that tolerated such abuses for years. But it may provide cold comfort to survi...

Mar 21, 2023 / Judith L. Herman

Ras Baraka in front a large group of uniformed fire fighters

The Future of Public Safety Is Here in Newark The Future of Public Safety Is Here in Newark

The New Jersey city is now home to an ecosystem of funded programs that reduce violence while tackling the factors that drive violence and criminalized behavior—and it’s working.

Mar 20, 2023 / Jamila Hodge

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