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.

Republican Senators Just Sold Out Democracy

Republican Senators Just Sold Out Democracy Republican Senators Just Sold Out Democracy

By acquitting Trump, Republicans handed the president nearly unlimited power—and revealed the extent of their venality.

Feb 5, 2020 / Elie Mystal

Trump’s State of the Union Was a Terrifying Game Show Stunt

Trump’s State of the Union Was a Terrifying Game Show Stunt Trump’s State of the Union Was a Terrifying Game Show Stunt

The president lied and handed out medals, while the Democrats fumbled.

Feb 5, 2020 / Elie Mystal

This Man Might Be the Stealth Star of the Impeachment Trial

This Man Might Be the Stealth Star of the Impeachment Trial This Man Might Be the Stealth Star of the Impeachment Trial

Before the trial each day, Senate Chaplain Barry Black has offered a benediction, which often appears to contain sharp rebukes to the GOP.

Feb 5, 2020 / Elie Mystal

Stuart Kyle Duncan

This Trump Judge Tormented a Trans Woman—Because He Could This Trump Judge Tormented a Trans Woman—Because He Could

Stuart Kyle Duncan had a history of anti-LGBTQ bigotry before he joined the bench. Now he’s inflicting his pettiness and cruelty on vulnerable litigants.

Jan 31, 2020 / Column / Elie Mystal

The Republicans Have Now Begun the Trolling Phase of the Impeachment Trial

The Republicans Have Now Begun the Trolling Phase of the Impeachment Trial The Republicans Have Now Begun the Trolling Phase of the Impeachment Trial

The strategy will almost certainly help them win the impeachment battle—but may well sink them in the larger war.

Jan 30, 2020 / Elie Mystal

The Trump Team’s Legal Defense Was a Tour de Force of Hypocrisy

The Trump Team’s Legal Defense Was a Tour de Force of Hypocrisy The Trump Team’s Legal Defense Was a Tour de Force of Hypocrisy

From Ken Starr to Alan Dershowitz, the president’s lawyers spewed illogical arguments that contradicted their own well-known positions.

Jan 28, 2020 / Elie Mystal

John Roberts Is Putting His Thumb on the Impeachment Scale

John Roberts Is Putting His Thumb on the Impeachment Scale John Roberts Is Putting His Thumb on the Impeachment Scale

The chief justice is wielding the little power he has in the impeachment trial in support of the Republican side.

Jan 24, 2020 / Elie Mystal

The Republicans Have Revealed Their Impeachment Strategy—Lying

The Republicans Have Revealed Their Impeachment Strategy—Lying The Republicans Have Revealed Their Impeachment Strategy—Lying

As the trial enters its second day, can anyone stop Trump’s Senate enablers from dissembling their way to an acquittal?

Jan 22, 2020 / Elie Mystal

McConnell’s Impeachment Plan Is to Make Us All Give Up

McConnell’s Impeachment Plan Is to Make Us All Give Up McConnell’s Impeachment Plan Is to Make Us All Give Up

The senator’s just-released trial rules are designed to exhaust the public into losing focus—and hope.

Jan 21, 2020 / Elie Mystal

Senator Warren speaks with Senator Sanders.

Unity Requires Recognizing That Warren Is Telling the Truth Unity Requires Recognizing That Warren Is Telling the Truth

At the same time, tolerance must allow that Sanders isn’t lying.

Jan 19, 2020 / Elie Mystal

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