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.

You Can’t Mask Stupid

You Can’t Mask Stupid You Can’t Mask Stupid

The very people howling the loudest about reopening—and running around maskless—are the ones making it too dangerous to reopen.

May 21, 2020 / no-paywall / Elie Mystal

Breonna Taylor Was Murdered for Sleeping While Black

Breonna Taylor Was Murdered for Sleeping While Black Breonna Taylor Was Murdered for Sleeping While Black

The circumstances of Taylor’s murder by cops, who barged into her home late at night, are shocking. They are also common.

May 15, 2020 / Elie Mystal

The Supreme Court Has Given Its Blessing to Public Corruption

The Supreme Court Has Given Its Blessing to Public Corruption The Supreme Court Has Given Its Blessing to Public Corruption

With its Bridgegate decision, the Supreme Court put another nail in the coffin of our corruption laws.

May 14, 2020 / Editorial / Elie Mystal

SCOTUS May Have Just Decided to Exempt Trump From the Rule of Law

SCOTUS May Have Just Decided to Exempt Trump From the Rule of Law SCOTUS May Have Just Decided to Exempt Trump From the Rule of Law

During landmark oral arguments on Trump’s tax returns, conservative justices made clear they think the president is above the law.

May 13, 2020 / Elie Mystal

A group walks with signs and posters demanding justice for Ahmaud Arbery

We Didn’t Need Video to Know Ahmaud Arbery Was Lynched We Didn’t Need Video to Know Ahmaud Arbery Was Lynched

How many black men are buried while their killers walk free because nobody happened to film their final, terrifying moments?

May 7, 2020 / Elie Mystal

Covid Is About to Become the Newest Excuse for Police Brutality

Covid Is About to Become the Newest Excuse for Police Brutality Covid Is About to Become the Newest Excuse for Police Brutality

Throughout the country, police are being given new powers to enforce social distancing—and that can only mean one thing for Black people.

May 5, 2020 / no-paywall / Elie Mystal

Lady Justice silhouette

It’s Time to Bring the Supreme Court Into the Modern Era—and the Light It’s Time to Bring the Supreme Court Into the Modern Era—and the Light

Justice means making the Supreme Court as transparent as possible—and that means turning on the cameras.

May 4, 2020 / Column / Elie Mystal

McConnell’s Stimulus Scam: Vaccinate Businesses, Expose Workers

McConnell’s Stimulus Scam: Vaccinate Businesses, Expose Workers McConnell’s Stimulus Scam: Vaccinate Businesses, Expose Workers

The Senate leader wants to block businesses from being sued for putting people at risk of Covid-19—thus ensuring people are put at risk.

May 1, 2020 / no-paywall / Elie Mystal

The Men Pushing to Open the Economy Clearly Don’t Need Child Care

The Men Pushing to Open the Economy Clearly Don’t Need Child Care The Men Pushing to Open the Economy Clearly Don’t Need Child Care

There’s no way to send people back to work without providing safe, affordable child care, but the men in charge don’t seem to care.

Apr 30, 2020 / no-paywall / Elie Mystal

SCOTUS Just Found a Way to Inflict More Terror on Immigrants

SCOTUS Just Found a Way to Inflict More Terror on Immigrants SCOTUS Just Found a Way to Inflict More Terror on Immigrants

A new decision written by Kavanaugh reaffirms the idea that the government can reach into a black or brown person’s life—and destroy it—at any time.

Apr 24, 2020 / Elie Mystal

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