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.

Joe Manchin committee hearing

Joe Manchin Cares More About ‘Bipartisanship’ Than Fighting Jim Crow Joe Manchin Cares More About ‘Bipartisanship’ Than Fighting Jim Crow

The senator says he won’t back a crucial voting rights bill because it’s too “partisan.” What he means is that white conservatives don’t like it.

Jun 8, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Andy Biggs press conf

The Miseducation of White Children The Miseducation of White Children

The attacks on critical race theory are just another attempt to prevent this country from reckoning with its racist past and present—by keeping white kids ignorant.

Jun 3, 2021 / 2021 Year in Review / Elie Mystal

It’s Time for Stephen Breyer to Retire From the Supreme Court

It’s Time for Stephen Breyer to Retire From the Supreme Court It’s Time for Stephen Breyer to Retire From the Supreme Court

The associate justice has served admirably on the Court for 27 years. But for the sake of our basic rights, he’s got to step down at the end of this term.

Jun 2, 2021 / Feature / Elie Mystal

The GOP Can’t Be Saved—and Neither Can Paul Ryan

The GOP Can’t Be Saved—and Neither Can Paul Ryan The GOP Can’t Be Saved—and Neither Can Paul Ryan

Ryan has become the latest Republican to urge his party to relinquish Trumpism and return to its principled past. The problem is, that past doesn’t exist.

May 28, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Merrick Garland close-up

Why Is Merrick Garland’s DOJ Carrying Water for Bill Barr? Why Is Merrick Garland’s DOJ Carrying Water for Bill Barr?

One answer is that Garland, like many Biden officials, is an institutionalist, more committed to preserving institutions than fighting hard political fights.

May 26, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Laughing Brett Kavanaugh

Brett Kavanaugh Remains As Incorrigible as Ever Brett Kavanaugh Remains As Incorrigible as Ever

In a recent decision, the man who argued he shouldn’t be judged by his youthful indiscretions had no problem sending young people to prison for life without parole.

May 21, 2021 / Column / Elie Mystal

Andrew Womble DA

This Is How Police Get Away With Murdering Black People This Is How Police Get Away With Murdering Black People

Andrew Brown Jr. was killed by cops last month, but the local prosecutor refuses to bring charges because he says the killing was “justified.”

May 19, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Amy Coney Barrett smiling

The Supreme Court May Have Just Signed Roe v. Wade’s Death Warrant The Supreme Court May Have Just Signed Roe v. Wade’s Death Warrant

The newly ultraconservative court has agreed to hear a direct challenge to the landmark 1973 abortion case—a move that can mean nothing good.

May 18, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Marjorie Taylor Green pointing

Marjorie Taylor Greene Is Gunning for AOC—and There’s Only 1 Reason Marjorie Taylor Greene Is Gunning for AOC—and There’s Only 1 Reason

A newly discovered video of Greene harassing AOC in 2019, along with Greene’s attacks on her colleague on the House floor last week, reveal a racism that is as old as it is scary.

May 17, 2021 / Elie Mystal

Return to the Joys of Full-Time Office Work? No, Thanks.

Return to the Joys of Full-Time Office Work? No, Thanks. Return to the Joys of Full-Time Office Work? No, Thanks.

CEOs are touting the benefits of office “culture” as a reason to return to our cubicles. But that culture has often meant harassment, discrimination, and painful water-cooler conve...

May 14, 2021 / Elie Mystal

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