Law

House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks during the House and Senate Democrats’ joint news conference on DHS funding negotiations in the US Capitol on February 4, 2026. Jeffries is flanked from left by Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, Representative Bennie Thompson, House Democratic Caucus chair Pete Aguilar, and House minority whip Katherine Clark.

Why Do the Democrats Keep Expanding the Institutions They Claim to Oppose? Why Do the Democrats Keep Expanding the Institutions They Claim to Oppose?

The pattern is always the same: The public demands change, but the Democrats cave to political pressure and maintain the status quo, allowing the machinery to grow.

Apr 24, 2026 / Scott Hechinger

Stigmata

Stigmata Stigmata

Big Hand from the Press.

Apr 24, 2026 / Steve Brodner

Kash Patel’s Lawsuit Against “The Atlantic” Is a Giant Self-Own

Kash Patel’s Lawsuit Against “The Atlantic” Is a Giant Self-Own Kash Patel’s Lawsuit Against “The Atlantic” Is a Giant Self-Own

In this week’s Elie v. US, our justice correspondent deconstructs Patel's preposterous defamation arguments. Plus: a fascinating gun-control lawsuit. And: All hail The Onion!

Apr 24, 2026 / Elie Mystal

The statue “Contemplation of Justice,” above the west front plaza of the US.Supreme Court Building.

Why the Supreme Court Justices Are Suddenly Casting Shade on Each Other Why the Supreme Court Justices Are Suddenly Casting Shade on Each Other

The breach of decorum says a lot about the crisis of the court—and that’s a good thing.

Apr 23, 2026 / Elie Mystal

What Happens When ‘Your Honor’ Is a Robot?

What Happens When ‘Your Honor’ Is a Robot? What Happens When ‘Your Honor’ Is a Robot?

As AI seeps ever deeper into our judicial system, boosters insist it will bring fairness and efficiency. The way AI is being developed suggests otherwise.

Apr 22, 2026 / Feature / Elie Mystal

Kash Patel, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, during a House Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

We Could Do Worse Than Kash Patel Being a Drunken Buffoon We Could Do Worse Than Kash Patel Being a Drunken Buffoon

If the FBI director’s alleged intoxication prevents him from carrying out Trump’s agenda, that might not be such a bad thing.

Apr 20, 2026 / Jeet Heer

The Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City.

Trump Is Making Federal Prison Even More Dangerous for Transgender Inmates Trump Is Making Federal Prison Even More Dangerous for Transgender Inmates

New directives from the Bureau of Prisons amount to government-mandated conversion therapy.

Apr 20, 2026 / Kali Holloway

Climate Deniers’ Ball

Climate Deniers’ Ball Climate Deniers’ Ball

Are YOU the doctor?

Apr 17, 2026 / Steve Brodner

Only One Side Has Clearly Broken the Law In the Strait of Hormuz

Only One Side Has Clearly Broken the Law In the Strait of Hormuz Only One Side Has Clearly Broken the Law In the Strait of Hormuz

And it isn’t Iran.

Apr 17, 2026 / Maryam Jamshidi

Demonstrators protest against GardaWorld after the security company was awarded over $100 million in ICE contracts.

Meet ICE’s Secret Canadian Partner Meet ICE’s Secret Canadian Partner

The Canadian security company GardaWorld is manning detention facilities like Alligator Alcatraz. It is far from the only Canadian-based firm in bed with ICE

Apr 17, 2026 / StudentNation / Sena Ho

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