Elie Mystal

Justice Correspondent & Columnist

@ElieNYC

Elie Mystal is The Nation’s justice correspondent and a columnist. He is also an Alfred Knobler Fellow at the Type Media Center. He is the author of two books: the New York Times bestseller Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution and Bad Law: Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America, both published by The New Press. You can subscribe to his Nation newsletter Elie v. U.S. here.

Donald Trump speaks at a rally for GOP candidates in Wasilla, Alaska.

Trump Just Told Us How He Intends to Steal the Midterms Trump Just Told Us How He Intends to Steal the Midterms

The Alaska case is a red flag that Trump has no intention of accepting the results of an election that Republicans lose.

Oct 27, 2026 / Elie Mystal

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks while campaigning for New Hampshire Democratic Senate candidate, US Representative Chris Pappas.

What Are Democrats Prepared to Do if Trump Rigs the Election? What Are Democrats Prepared to Do if Trump Rigs the Election?

In this week’s Elie v. U.S, our justice correspondent challenges Democrats' lack of a plan if Trump steals the midterms. Plus: the most racist, and honest, AI add ever.

Oct 23, 2026 / Elie Mystal

The US Supreme Court at dusk.

The Supreme Court Is Coming for Affirmative Action—Again The Supreme Court Is Coming for Affirmative Action—Again

The high court has just accepted a case that takes aim at efforts to increase diversity at high-performing public schools.

Oct 20, 2026 / Elie Mystal

The White Man Can Always Take What You Have

The White Man Can Always Take What You Have The White Man Can Always Take What You Have

In this week's Elie v. US, our justice correspondent breaks down the real message of the attacks on Ilhan Omar. Plus: the anti-trans case that will come for us all.

Oct 16, 2026 / Elie Mystal

Customers walk into a Blockbuster Video store in 2002.

Is Blockbuster Video the Answer to Our Digital Privacy Woes? Is Blockbuster Video the Answer to Our Digital Privacy Woes?

The Supreme Court is weighing whether a 1988 video-store law can be used to protect our digital privacy.

Oct 15, 2026 / Elie Mystal

This November, Vote Like Alito Is on the Ballot

This November, Vote Like Alito Is on the Ballot This November, Vote Like Alito Is on the Ballot

In this week’s Elie v. U.S., our justice correspondent gives Democrats another reason to vote in November. Plus: How Sarah Huckabee Sanders’s Medicaid unmasked the racists.

Oct 9, 2026 / Elie Mystal

Demonstrators rally outside the Supreme Court against oil corporations involved in Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County.

This Lawsuit Could Make Big Oil Pay for the Harm It’s Caused This Lawsuit Could Make Big Oil Pay for the Harm It’s Caused

The question is whether the Supreme Court will let it.

Oct 6, 2026 / Elie Mystal

The People vs. the Supreme Court

The People vs. the Supreme Court The People vs. the Supreme Court

This term the Supreme Court has plans to trample even more of our rights. But we, the people, are not powerless in the face of their power grab.

Oct 5, 2026 / Feature / Elie Mystal

Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO.) during his disastrous questioning of former special counsel Jack Smith.

Eric Schmitt Deserves to Be Mocked Forever Eric Schmitt Deserves to Be Mocked Forever

In this week’s Elie v. U.S., our justice correspondent relives the senator’s glorious face-plant. Plus: why John Roberts also deserves our mockery.

Oct 2, 2026 / Elie Mystal

Donald Trump strides down a hallway in “Final Battle,” a campaign ad paid for with taxpayer dollars.

PSA: Trump Continues to Commit Crimes PSA: Trump Continues to Commit Crimes

While the president is unlikely to face any consequences for his patently illegal, taxpayer-funded ads, it’s essential to remember he should.

Sep 30, 2026 / Elie Mystal

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