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.

Utah Senator Mike Lee and independent challenger Evan McMullin stand together before their televised debate.

A Black Guy’s Guide to Utah’s Senate Debate A Black Guy’s Guide to Utah’s Senate Debate

Here’s what happened when Evan McMullin, an anti-Trump former Republican, tried to take on Mike Lee, an early Big Lie evangelist.

Oct 19, 2022 / Elie Mystal

Democrats Still Aren’t Trying Hard Enough to Reclaim the Judiciary

Democrats Still Aren’t Trying Hard Enough to Reclaim the Judiciary Democrats Still Aren’t Trying Hard Enough to Reclaim the Judiciary

If Democrats really want to take back the judicial branch, they can start by ditching an old tradition: the blue slip.

Oct 17, 2022 / Column / Elie Mystal

How a Supreme Court Case About Pigs Could Further Undermine… Abortion Rights

How a Supreme Court Case About Pigs Could Further Undermine… Abortion Rights How a Supreme Court Case About Pigs Could Further Undermine… Abortion Rights

On the surface, National Pork Producers Council v. Ross is about animal cruelty. But for the conservatives, it’s also a way to attack basic rights.

Oct 14, 2022 / Elie Mystal

Janai Nelson of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund outside the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court Is Ready to Take Down More of the Voting Rights Act The Supreme Court Is Ready to Take Down More of the Voting Rights Act

Make no mistake: The racist redistricting map preferred by Alabama Republicans will win the day. But how the court gets to that decision is an open and important matter.

Oct 5, 2022 / Elie Mystal

The Supreme Court Returns on Monday, Stronger and More Terrible Than Ever

The Supreme Court Returns on Monday, Stronger and More Terrible Than Ever The Supreme Court Returns on Monday, Stronger and More Terrible Than Ever

This term, the high court will cement its grip on political life in America, overturning affirmative action and other critical protections along the way.

Sep 29, 2022 / Feature / Elie Mystal

Let’s Talk About Ron DeSantis’s “Reason” for Kidnapping Migrants

Let’s Talk About Ron DeSantis’s “Reason” for Kidnapping Migrants Let’s Talk About Ron DeSantis’s “Reason” for Kidnapping Migrants

The media has done a poor job of questioning the Florida governor, but the few explanations he's given are shocking.

Sep 26, 2022 / Elie Mystal

Tish James Got the Goods on the Trump Family Grift—Now What?

Tish James Got the Goods on the Trump Family Grift—Now What? Tish James Got the Goods on the Trump Family Grift—Now What?

While it's nice to learn more about the crimes Trump & Co. committed, what many of us really want is to know when he’ll be held accountable.

Sep 22, 2022 / Elie Mystal

Supporters of former US president Donald Trump drive around the Paul G. Rogers Federal Building and Courthouse in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The Trump Judges Are Officially Running the Show The Trump Judges Are Officially Running the Show

The rulings by Judge Aileen Cannon on Trump’s behalf in the classified documents case aren’t just one-off legal absurdities—they’re examples of decisions to come. 

Sep 19, 2022 / Editorial / Elie Mystal for The Nation

Let’s Call DeSantis’s Migrant Stunt What It Is—Kidnapping

Let’s Call DeSantis’s Migrant Stunt What It Is—Kidnapping Let’s Call DeSantis’s Migrant Stunt What It Is—Kidnapping

It’s a crime to dupe somebody and then ship them across state lines—and it’s time to hold GOP governors accountable for doing just that.

Sep 16, 2022 / Elie Mystal

Senator Lindsey Graham

Lindsey Graham’s Abortion Ban Is a Joke—and We Should Be Terrified Lindsey Graham’s Abortion Ban Is a Joke—and We Should Be Terrified

The senator's proposed abortion ban is a political stunt that has little chance of passing. It's also a preview of worse things to come.

Sep 15, 2022 / Elie Mystal

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