Can He Do That?

By The Washington Post

News & Politics

What's Can He Do That? about?

Donald Trump’s historic presidency will look unlike any other that’s come before it. From his outsider status in Washington to his family’s continued residence in New York to his complicated business empire, each episode of this podcast will focus on one aspect of Trump’s time in the White House that defies conventions and ask the question, “Can he do that?”

Hosted by Allison Michaels and co-hosted each week by a different Post reporter, “Can He Do That?” features original reporting that will illuminate the ways Donald Trump can reshape the presidency and explain what that means for people in the United States and the rest of the world.

4.0

2,904 ratings

Download our free app to listen on your phone

LAST EPISODE

Will they or won't they? Wh...

05.24.2019

President Trump cut short a bipartisan infrastructure meeting, telling Democrats he won't work with them until they stop investigating him. Congressional reporter Mike DeBonis explains how Democrats might move forward with legislation and investigations.

Can He Do That? episodes:

05.24.2019 Will they or won't they? Where House Democrats stand on impeachment President Trump cut short a bipartisan infrastructure meeting, telling Democrats he won't work with them until they stop investigating him. Congressional reporter Mike DeBonis explains how Democrats might move forward with legislation and investigations.
05.17.2019 Why didn't the White House back an international effort to fight online extremism? At the intersection of regulation and free speech, the "Christchurch Call" presents a challenge for a president who alleges political bias from social media sites. Tech policy reporter Tony Romm explains the potential consequences of Trump's decision.
05.10.2019 What happens when a president asserts executive privilege? The conflict between Congress and the White House accelerated as President Trump blocked access to the unredacted Mueller report. Reporter Carol Leonnig explains executive privilege and what Trump's assertion means for Congressional investigations.
05.03.2019 How does Attorney General Barr view presidential power? Reporter Devlin Barrett weighs in on Attorney General William Barr's contentious week on the Hill -- a week that raised questions about Barr's views on presidential power and his role as the top national law enforcement officer in the country.
04.26.2019 Will Trump stop Congress from obtaining documents and testimonies? Our country is facing a largely unprecedented battle between the White House and Congress. Post investigative reporter Tom Hamburger explains this week's subpoena fights and how the tension between Trump and House Democrats might escalate.
04.18.2019 The Mueller report, unpacked After nearly two years, America finally gets its first look at special counsel Robert S. Mueller III's report. The Post's Justice Department reporter Matt Zapotosky explains new insights we've gained from an early look at the details.
04.12.2019 Trump dismantled leadership at DHS. Can he fill key vacancies however he wants to? Reporter Nick Miroff explains what shakeups at the Department of Homeland Security mean for U.S. immigration enforcement. Plus, a look at the president's power to fill important vacancies, from Stanford law professor Anne Joseph O'Connell.
04.05.2019 Trump's decision to definitely, maybe close the border now -- or a year from now Will Trump ultimately decide to shut down the border? And why keep the country -- including his own administration -- in suspense awaiting a border closing decision? Damian Paletta, the Post's economic policy reporter, explains.
03.29.2019 Trump's latest fight against Obamacare: Destroy it in the courts The Post's David Weigel explains the potential political consequences of Monday's Justice Department filling arguing that the Affordable Care Act should be thrown out.
03.25.2019 Mueller report: What we still don't know National security reporter Devlin Barrett explains what we know so far about the findings of the special counsel's Russia investigation, what clarity we’ve gained from Attorney General William P. Barr's summary, and what questions remain unanswered.
03.22.2019 Does a president ever stop campaigning? President Trump’s campaign for 2020 began shortly after he won the 2016 election. Post reporter Jenna Johnson and U.S. Naval Academy professor Brendan J. Doherty explain how presidents grapple with the inherent tension between campaigning and governing.
03.15.2019 Does the president get to decide which planes can fly? Reporter Toluse Olorunnipa explains how global pressure, calls with industry executives and self-proclaimed expertise contributed to Trump's decision to announce an emergency grounding of Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 airplanes.
03.08.2019 Congressional Democrats ramp up investigations into Trump With congressional reporter Karoun Demirjian, we look at how Capitol Hill's investigations work, how the Democrats are trying to hone their oversight strategy and which lines of inquiry might have significant consequences for the president.
03.01.2019 What we learned from Michael Cohen's scathing testimony Marc Fisher wraps up this week's hearings, plus a look at what it was like for reporters experiencing the public hearing in realtime.
02.22.2019 Will Trump’s emergency survive legal and congressional challenges? How will legal battles over President Trump's emergency play out in the courts? How will Democrats push back in Congress? Is there anything stopping Trump from starting to build the wall today? The Post's legal affairs correspondent Fred Barbash explains.
02.14.2019 Trump to declare a national emergency and Barr is confirmed Can Trump get funding for a border wall by declaring a national emergency? And can the new U.S. attorney general decide what happens to the Mueller report? Here's a refresher episode answering key questions surrounding Thursday's news moments.
02.06.2019 Better, faster, stronger? Fact-checking Trump's State of the Union address Which of President Trump's Tuesday night claims were accurate? Salvador Rizzo and Meg Kelly of The Washington Post's Fact Checker team unpack the truth behind some of the biggest claims around immigration, the economy and foreign policy.
02.01.2019 How much power does an attorney general have to protect a president? William Barr's delayed confirmation vote for attorney general means there's less clarity on who'll see Robert Mueller's report. Post reporters Dan Balz and Devlin Barrett look at history, precedent and law regarding special investigations.
01.25.2019 The Supreme Court allowed Trump’s transgender troops ban to proceed. What happens next? In a vote Tuesday, the court allowed Trump's restrictions on transgender troops to go into effect. The Post's courts reporter Fred Barbash explains how a president’s policy rises to the Supreme Court, and how it reflects a president's power.
01.18.2019 The longer the shutdown lasts, the weirder the consequences get Can Nancy Pelosi postpone the State of the Union address? Can Trump cancel Pelosi's travel? Can Trump and Pelosi find a way to reopen the government? The Post's Colby Itkowitz and Joshua Dawsey unravel details of our country's ongoing political ...
01.11.2019 Does Trump have the power to declare a national emergency to get border wall funding? Can a president choose to invoke emergency powers whenever he wants? Liza Goitein of the Brennan Center for Justice explains the extent of Trump's power in states of emergency. The Post's Philip Rucker breaks down the challenges of border wall ...
01.04.2019 Will Trump face a challenger for the GOP's 2020 nomination? Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) wrote an op-ed asserting his independence from Trump -- a move that prompted speculation about a potential 2020 bid. The Post's Robert Costa explains what it would take for Romney, or another GOP contender, to challenge ...
12.28.2018 Trump’s year of legal battles, Part 2: The Mueller probe In the final days of 2018, Post reporter Rosalind Helderman recaps the year’s biggest moments in Robert Mueller’s investigation and weighs in on what to watch for as the probe continues.
12.21.2018 Trump’s year of legal battles, Part 1: Suits and settlements As this year comes to a close, Post reporter David Fahrenthold helps us unravel the details of the swirling lawsuits and investigations surrounding Trump's charity and business.
12.14.2018 What does Cohen’s sentencing mean for Trump? Presented by ‘Post Reports’ While host Allison Michaels is away this week, we’re bringing you a segment from the Post’s premier daily podcast ‘Post Reports’ on Michael Cohen’s sentencing and what it may mean for Trump.
12.07.2018 Will Trump, "a tariff man," win the trade war with China? Amid escalating tensions and stalled talks between the U.S. and China, financial reporter David J. Lynch and Beijing Bureau Chief Anna Fifield explain what's at stake for Trump, the two countries and the global economy.
11.30.2018 What power does Trump have to push back on GM for closing U.S. plants? The revival of American manufacturing is a key part of Trump's economic message. Now that GM faces cuts, he's threatened to impose import penalties, and revoke subsidies. What's within his power? Economic policy reporter Damian Paletta explains.
11.16.2018 How much power does a president have over election recounts? Amid recounts in Florida, the president has used strong rhetoric to cast doubt on our elections. Can he do that? Amy Gardner, reporting from Broward County, Fla., explains what's at stake for Republicans, Democrats and the president himself.
11.09.2018 How will Democrats use their new power as a check on the president? Will a Democratic House stop President Trump's agenda? Mike DeBonis explains how House Democrats might stall Trump's policies in Congress, and Karoun Demirjian breaks down how far the Democrats might go in investigating the president.
11.07.2018 Trump forced out his attorney general. Can he do that? Jeff Sessions and President Trump have had a tense relationship since Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation last year. So why did Trump request his resignation now? And what are the implications for control of Mueller’s ongoing probe?
11.07.2018 How do the midterm election results reflect on the president? After time on the trail tracking candidates and talking to voters, David Weigel offers insight on last night's results. Which party can claim the biggest wins? Was last night a referendum on President Trump? And will we see a new ...
11.02.2018 President Trump has played an outsize role in midterm campaigns. Can he do that? Are midterm elections always a referendum on the sitting president? Reporters Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer explain whom Trump has endorsed, which candidates have embraced Trump's policies and how his presence might play out at the polls.
10.26.2018 Trump says he'll stop a migrant group from crossing the U.S. southern border. Can he do that? White House reporter David Nakamura explains which pieces of border operations and immigration law Trump can change or influence. Plus, Kevin Sieff recounts migrant experiences from his time traveling with the caravan in Mexico.
10.19.2018 Trump faces a challenging moment in Saudi-U.S. relations. What's at stake? Washington Post contributing columnist Jamal Khashoggis disappeared from a Saudi consulate in Turkey. His editor, Karen Attiah, sheds light on Khashoggi as a person and a writer. Reporter Shane Harris breaks down this pivotal foreign policy moment.
10.12.2018 Trump made some strange financial moves in the decade before he became president. Can he do that? Trump's financial past includes $400 million in cash spending, $300 million in private loans and a $50 million loan to himself. David Fahrenthold and Jonathan O'Connell unravel their investigation into the mysteries of Trump's finances from 2005-2015.
10.05.2018 How can the Supreme Court maintain impartiality in America's modern political climate? What happens to the public's perceived independence of the Supreme Court when confirmation processes devolve into partisan battles? The Post's Robert Barnes explains the evolving relationship between politics and the judiciary.
09.26.2018 Kavanaugh and Ford will testify at the Senate. Here's what to expect. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford will testify in relation to sexual misconduct allegations that have arisen during Kavanaugh's confirmation process. With much at stake, Trump is standing by his nominee for now.
09.21.2018 Trump ordered Russia investigation documents declassified. Can he do that? At odds with the Justice Department, Trump wants some texts, interviews and warrants made public. We explore his exercise of presidential power when it pushes against well-established norms and creates conflicts of interest.
09.14.2018 President Trump says we are “absolutely, totally prepared” for Hurricane Florence. Are we? Trump called the handling of Hurricane Maria an "unsung success" and falsely said its high death count was generated to make him look bad. As we face Florence, reporter Joel Achenbach adds insight to Trump's claims and the state of ...
09.07.2018 A harrowing book, an anonymous op-ed and a White House in chaos After a week of revelations about what it's like to work for President Trump, White House bureau chief Philip Rucker offers insight into the state of the administration.
09.04.2018 Exclusive: Phone call between President Trump and Bob Woodward Bob Woodward sought an interview with President Trump as he was writing "Fear," a book about his presidency. Trump called Woodward in early August, after the manuscript had been completed, to say he wanted to participate. This is audio of ...
08.31.2018 Trump threatened to "take a look" at Google for "rigged" results. Can he do that? Does the administration have power to regulate the information technology companies distribute? Post technology reporter Brian Fung, technology ethicist David Ryan Polgar and law professor Genevieve Lakier explain how far Trump can take his concerns.
08.24.2018 Michael Cohen spent years alongside Trump. What might he know? Trump’s longtime lawyer and friend, who made a plea implicating Trump this week, has connections to the president’s charity and business. Post reporter Rosalind Helderman explains what we've learned from documents made public by Cohen’s plea.
08.22.2018 Michael Cohen implicates Trump. Paul Manafort is found guilty. What happens now? Within a few minutes on Tuesday afternoon, two people close to Trump are declared guilty. This special break-in episode with Post reporter Devlin Barrett breaks down what these major developments mean for the President of the United States.
08.17.2018 Trump is trying to enforce an NDA against Omarosa Manigault Newman. Can he do that? A former White House aide is releasing details from her time in the administration. Trump wants to stop her. White House reporter Joshua Dawsey and watchdog director Danielle Brian explain what happens when a president seeks NDAs for government employees.
08.10.2018 Trump wants to distance himself from Paul Manafort’s trial. Can he do that? The ongoing trial of Trump’s former campaign manager can affect the future of the Mueller investigation. National security reporter Devlin Barrett and former federal prosecutor Robert Mintz explain what the jury’s verdict might mean for the president.
08.04.2018 Trump says that even if there were collusion, there was no crime. Can he do that? What are the legal lines surrounding collusion? Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Carol Leonnig and white-collar defense lawyer Jacob Frenkel analyze the legal and political consequences of President Trump’s latest suggestion that “collusion is not crime.”
07.13.2018 What Trump's rhetoric at his rallies can tell us about his approach towards policy and diplomacy In June, national political correspondent Jenna Johnson and producer Anne Li went to a Trump rally in Duluth, Minn. Johnson has been to dozens of Trump rallies, but this time, she and Li focused on something different - the crowd.
06.29.2018 How to Flip the House: The takeaways for 2018 Given what we've learned from the 1994, 2006 and 2010 midterms about how partisanship, divisiveness and polarizing presidents all affect affect both midterm elections and the powers of the presidency, we ask if Democrats can flip the House in 2018.
06.28.2018 How to Flip the House: The secret heist of 2010 2010 was the year of the Tea Party, the year of backlash against Obama, and the year of the biggest shift of power in the House in a century. But it’s also the year that Republicans executed a little-noticed strategy ...

Older episodes

Can He Do That?

What's Can He Do That? about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Can He Do That? episodes:

Will they or won't they? Where House Democrats stand on impeachment

Why didn't the White House back an international effort to fight online extremism?

What happens when a president asserts executive privilege?

How does Attorney General Barr view presidential power?

Will Trump stop Congress from obtaining documents and testimonies?

The Mueller report, unpacked

Trump dismantled leadership at DHS. Can he fill key vacancies however he wants to?

Trump's decision to definitely, maybe close the border now -- or a year from now

Trump's latest fight against Obamacare: Destroy it in the courts

Mueller report: What we still don't know

Does a president ever stop campaigning?

Does the president get to decide which planes can fly?

Congressional Democrats ramp up investigations into Trump

What we learned from Michael Cohen's scathing testimony

Will Trump’s emergency survive legal and congressional challenges?

Trump to declare a national emergency and Barr is confirmed

Better, faster, stronger? Fact-checking Trump's State of the Union address

How much power does an attorney general have to protect a president?

The Supreme Court allowed Trump’s transgender troops ban to proceed. What happens next?

The longer the shutdown lasts, the weirder the consequences get

Does Trump have the power to declare a national emergency to get border wall funding?

Will Trump face a challenger for the GOP's 2020 nomination?

Trump’s year of legal battles, Part 2: The Mueller probe

Trump’s year of legal battles, Part 1: Suits and settlements

What does Cohen’s sentencing mean for Trump? Presented by ‘Post Reports’

Will Trump, "a tariff man," win the trade war with China?

What power does Trump have to push back on GM for closing U.S. plants?

How much power does a president have over election recounts?

How will Democrats use their new power as a check on the president?

Trump forced out his attorney general. Can he do that?

How do the midterm election results reflect on the president?

President Trump has played an outsize role in midterm campaigns. Can he do that?

Trump says he'll stop a migrant group from crossing the U.S. southern border. Can he do that?

Trump faces a challenging moment in Saudi-U.S. relations. What's at stake?

Trump made some strange financial moves in the decade before he became president. Can he do that?

How can the Supreme Court maintain impartiality in America's modern political climate?

Kavanaugh and Ford will testify at the Senate. Here's what to expect.

Trump ordered Russia investigation documents declassified. Can he do that?

President Trump says we are “absolutely, totally prepared” for Hurricane Florence. Are we?

A harrowing book, an anonymous op-ed and a White House in chaos

Exclusive: Phone call between President Trump and Bob Woodward

Trump threatened to "take a look" at Google for "rigged" results. Can he do that?

Michael Cohen spent years alongside Trump. What might he know?

Michael Cohen implicates Trump. Paul Manafort is found guilty. What happens now?

Trump is trying to enforce an NDA against Omarosa Manigault Newman. Can he do that?

Trump wants to distance himself from Paul Manafort’s trial. Can he do that?

Trump says that even if there were collusion, there was no crime. Can he do that?

What Trump's rhetoric at his rallies can tell us about his approach towards policy and diplomacy

How to Flip the House: The takeaways for 2018

How to Flip the House: The secret heist of 2010

Other shows like Can He Do That?: