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.

Justices of the US Supreme Court pose for their official photo at the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., on October 7, 2022.

The Supreme Court Must Be Stopped The Supreme Court Must Be Stopped

The court is fundamentally antidemocratic—and the only way to limit the damage it can do is to reduce its power, budget, and lack of accountability. 

Mar 1, 2024 / Elie Mystal

The US Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C.

The Supreme Court Could Decide This Term’s Big Gun Case on the Basis of… Grammar The Supreme Court Could Decide This Term’s Big Gun Case on the Basis of… Grammar

Justices like Neil Gorsuch are doing all they can to make sure “bump stocks”—which turn regular guns into machine guns—are legal.

Feb 29, 2024 / Elie Mystal

A Bible and cross lie on the American flag.

Alabama’s IVF Ruling Is Christian Theology Masquerading as Law Alabama’s IVF Ruling Is Christian Theology Masquerading as Law

The ruling is clearly unconstitutional, but don’t expect the Supreme Court to come to the rescue.

Feb 23, 2024 / Elie Mystal

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris join hands as they depart a “Reproductive Freedom Campaign Rally” at George Mason University on January 23, 2024, in Manassas, Va.

It’s Time to Get Over Biden’s Age It’s Time to Get Over Biden’s Age

The potshots at the president’s age are attacks not just on Biden but also on his vice president. Plus, have you seen the other guy?

Feb 21, 2024 / Elie Mystal

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is GettyImages-1948402901.jpg President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign rally to

There Is Only One Way for Biden to Fulfill His Promise to “Restore Roe” There Is Only One Way for Biden to Fulfill His Promise to “Restore Roe”

If the president truly wants to protect reproductive rights, he’s going to have to do what he’s so far refused even to consider: expand the Supreme Court.

Feb 20, 2024 / Column / Elie Mystal

Merrick Garland Must Go

Merrick Garland Must Go Merrick Garland Must Go

In his timidity and determination to be “apolitical,” the attorney general has failed to do the very thing he was appointed to do—pursue justice and accountability.

Feb 14, 2024 / Elie Mystal

Artist sketch depicting attorney Jonathan Mitchell arguing before the Supreme Court on behalf of former president Donald Trump on Thursday, February 8, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

The Supreme Court Is Not Going to Save Us From Donald Trump The Supreme Court Is Not Going to Save Us From Donald Trump

The justices have made clear that they do not think the 14th Amendment disqualifies Trump from running for office. That means there’s only one way to stop him—at the ballot box.

Feb 9, 2024 / Elie Mystal

Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally on January 19, 2024, in Concord, N.H.

The D.C. Circuit Just Shredded Trump’s Immunity Claims The D.C. Circuit Just Shredded Trump’s Immunity Claims

The court’s decision should put to rest the question of whether a former president is immune to prosecution. The question is whether the Supreme Court will allow that.

Feb 7, 2024 / Elie Mystal

Five of President Joe Biden’s nominees to the federal judiciary are sworn in during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

Democrats Are Ceding Control of the Judiciary Because of… Tradition Democrats Are Ceding Control of the Judiciary Because of… Tradition

To counter the damage Trump did to the judiciary by stuffing it with conservative judges, Biden & Co need to act fast. Right now, they’re not in any hurry.

Feb 1, 2024 / Elie Mystal

Texas National Guard soldiers stand guard on the banks of the Rio Grande river at Shelby Park on January 12, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Tex.

Texas Is Spoiling for a Civil War Texas Is Spoiling for a Civil War

As Governor Greg Abbott escalates his border fight with the Biden administration, he is sounding a lot like an old Confederate.

Jan 30, 2024 / Elie Mystal

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