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.

Stephen Breyer Is Getting Paid to Play Hamlet

Stephen Breyer Is Getting Paid to Play Hamlet Stephen Breyer Is Getting Paid to Play Hamlet

Rather than retiring, the justice is milking his moment in the sun—publishing a book, giving interviews, and defending his decision not to step down.

Oct 6, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Why Are the Democrats Handing the Judicial Branch Over to the GOP?

Why Are the Democrats Handing the Judicial Branch Over to the GOP? Why Are the Democrats Handing the Judicial Branch Over to the GOP?

Democrats have a chance to reclaim the courts from conservatives by pushing to fill judicial vacancies and expanding the courts. They’re doing neither.

Oct 1, 2021 / Elie Mystal

This Supreme Court Term, Conservatives Have One Aim: Stop Progress

This Supreme Court Term, Conservatives Have One Aim: Stop Progress This Supreme Court Term, Conservatives Have One Aim: Stop Progress

During the next nine months, conservatives justices will use their power to attack abortion rights, weaken gun regulations, and rewind the clock to a darker age.

Sep 30, 2021 / Feature / Elie Mystal

Biden Wasn’t Elected to Scold Racist Border Agents—He Was Elected to Stop Them

Biden Wasn’t Elected to Scold Racist Border Agents—He Was Elected to Stop Them Biden Wasn’t Elected to Scold Racist Border Agents—He Was Elected to Stop Them

The White House bears full responsibility for the Border Patrol agents caught whipping Haitian migrants at the US-Mexico border.

Sep 23, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Chris-Wray-testimony

There’s No Good Reason FBI Director Chris Wray Still Has a Job There’s No Good Reason FBI Director Chris Wray Still Has a Job

Wray has a pattern of refusing to pursue powerful men like Brett Kavanaugh and Larry Nassar on behalf of women and people of color.

Sep 17, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Manchin-in-elevator

Joe Manchin Giveth on Voting Rights—and Joe Manchin Taketh Away Joe Manchin Giveth on Voting Rights—and Joe Manchin Taketh Away

The West Virginia senator has finally agreed to support critical voting rights legislation, but refuses to do what’s necessary to pass it.

Sep 16, 2021 / Elie Mystal

First Texas Came for Abortion. Now It’s Going After Voting Rights.

First Texas Came for Abortion. Now It’s Going After Voting Rights. First Texas Came for Abortion. Now It’s Going After Voting Rights.

Just a week after Texas’s abortion ban went into effect, Governor Greg Abbot signed a draconian voter suppression bill into law.

Sep 13, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Garland-DOJ-press-conf

The Justice Department Strikes Back The Justice Department Strikes Back

Since the DOJ cannot force Texas Republicans to magically become decent people, its smart lawsuit against the state’s abortion ban is the next best thing.

Sep 10, 2021 / Elie Mystal

abortion-rights-protest

What Can Democrats Do to Fight Texas’s Abortion Ban? Lots. What Can Democrats Do to Fight Texas’s Abortion Ban? Lots.

The only question is how far Democrats are willing to go to defend women’s rights.

Sep 2, 2021 / Elie Mystal

“Roe v. Wade” Will Functionally Cease to Exist in Texas

“Roe v. Wade” Will Functionally Cease to Exist in Texas “Roe v. Wade” Will Functionally Cease to Exist in Texas

Unless the Supreme Court steps in, the country’s most dangerous anti-abortion law will go into effect, banning abortions after six weeks and placing a cash bounty on providers.

Aug 31, 2021 / Editorial / Elie Mystal for The Nation

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