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.

Cheerleader Brandi Levy

From a High-School Cheerleader, a Lesson in Free Speech From a High-School Cheerleader, a Lesson in Free Speech

As school resumes, the Supreme Court’s decision in the most significant student free speech case in decades reverberates across the country.

Aug 5, 2021 / Column / Elie Mystal

College student gets a Covid vaccine

A Quick Reminder That Mandating Vaccines Is Totally Constitutional A Quick Reminder That Mandating Vaccines Is Totally Constitutional

No, the Bill of Rights does not block vaccine mandates. Neither does HIPAA. Just ask the three Republican judges who ruled that Indiana University can require students to be vaccin...

Aug 4, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Greene and Gaetz maskless

The Delta Variant Is Contagious as Hell—and People Are Selfish The Delta Variant Is Contagious as Hell—and People Are Selfish

As fierce as the variant is, we could slow its course. But first, Republicans would have to learn basic decency and wear a damn mask.

Jul 30, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Philando Castile protest

Why Are Public Defenders Backing a Major Assault on Gun Control? Why Are Public Defenders Backing a Major Assault on Gun Control?

In the name of Black gun owners, a coalition of progressive attorneys has thrown its weight behind an explosive attempt to eviscerate gun regulations.

Jul 26, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Republicans Hate Voting Rights Because They Threaten White Power

Republicans Hate Voting Rights Because They Threaten White Power Republicans Hate Voting Rights Because They Threaten White Power

It’s no accident that the current assault on voting rights started not with the failed reelection of Donald Trump but with the successful election of Barack Obama.

Jul 22, 2021 / Editorial / Elie Mystal for The Nation

Rally-John-Lewis-Voting Rights Act

The Democrats Are Bungling Voting Rights—but Not in the Way You Think The Democrats Are Bungling Voting Rights—but Not in the Way You Think

The John Lewis Voting Rights Act is a valuable piece of legislation. So is the For the People Act. Both are destined to fail in front of the Supreme Court.

Jul 21, 2021 / Elie Mystal

In My Own Private Utopia, There Is No Rain—or Republicans

In My Own Private Utopia, There Is No Rain—or Republicans In My Own Private Utopia, There Is No Rain—or Republicans

In The Sims, one of my favorite video games, my goal is for everyone to be as happy as possible.

Jul 16, 2021 / Feature / Elie Mystal

My Black Generation Is Fighting Like Hell to Stop the Whitelash

My Black Generation Is Fighting Like Hell to Stop the Whitelash My Black Generation Is Fighting Like Hell to Stop the Whitelash

We are marching; we are writing; we are protesting—but the forces of white supremacy are still winning.

Jul 13, 2021 / Elie Mystal

AZ AG Mark Brnovich

Bigots Have Finally Accomplished Their Goal of Gutting the Voting Rights Act Bigots Have Finally Accomplished Their Goal of Gutting the Voting Rights Act

The Supreme Court’s decision upholding voter restrictions in Arizona paves the way for widespread disenfranchisement of voters of color.

Jul 2, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Florida voters - voting rights

Joe Biden and the Age of Blaxhaustion Joe Biden and the Age of Blaxhaustion

After saving Biden’s campaign from defeat, Black people had hoped for some relief from the constant racism and attacks. That hasn’t happened.

Jun 28, 2021 / Column / Elie Mystal

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