Can He Do That?

By The Washington Post

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.

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How a voting law ignited a ...

04.08.2021

Since Georgia passed its new voting law, corporations, Congress and consumers have responded in ways that introduce big questions. Among them: How will the GOP grapple with its fraying relationship with corporate America over social and cultural issues?

Can He Do That? episodes:

04.08.2021 How a voting law ignited a culture war Since Georgia passed its new voting law, corporations, Congress and consumers have responded in ways that introduce big questions. Among them: How will the GOP grapple with its fraying relationship with corporate America over social and cultural issues?
04.01.2021 Biden’s big bet on big government How did Biden become a president with an ambitious agenda for major government expansion? Where will his proposals position him in history? And is he likely to accomplish much of what he’s put forth? The Post’s Dan Balz weighs in.
03.25.2021 Do presidents have the power to stop mass shootings? After tragedies in Colorado and Georgia, Biden has pledged to tighten gun laws. But the country has been here before, in the aftermath of mass shootings. Regardless of which party is in power, little reform has happened. Will this time ...
03.18.2021 The political power of culture wars We examine why transgender rights have risen to the forefront of our politics, and what the history of the modern Republican party reveals about how social issue battles work as a political tool, with reporter Samantha Schmidt and professor Brian ...
03.11.2021 Biden signed a $1.9 trillion bill. How much relief will Americans feel? Will low income Americans feel their lives change in tangible ways? On the other hand, might a fast-growing economy cause big problems? Plus, how might Biden make sure Americans know the government is responsible for some of economic changes they ...
03.04.2021 How to fix our democracy? Start in Kindergarten. A new report draws a line from today’s civics crises to a long-standing failure to effectively teach American government and history in our public schools. On this episode, we explain what the potential outcomes for civic engagement.
02.26.2021 Reshaping the role of the Justice Department Can Attorney General nominee Merrick Garland rebuild confidence in the DOJ's independence? How might his efforts on Biden policies like combating far-right extremism and curbing police violence make the perception of an independent DOJ harder?
02.18.2021 Biden’s shifting benchmarks for reopening schools Can President Biden come through on this promise of reopening most schools within his first 100 days? How much can the president influence when and how schools welcome students back into the classroom? And what are the political consequences?
02.12.2021 The duty of a president during crisis Some of the arguments in Trump's second impeachment trial get at the core of presidential responsibilities. We examine two of them to clarify the duties of a president during crisis and to understand how free speech applies to the commander ...
02.04.2021 Biden says he wants to reunite migrant families. It won’t be easy. Families are still separated years after President Trump's policy ended. Latin America correspondent Kevin Sieff on the experiences of some migrant families. Plus, immigration policy expert Ali Noorani explains what it would take to reunite families.
01.29.2021 Will Biden get you a vaccine? How much power does Biden have to affect vaccine distribution and where is his power limited? What role should the federal government play in the process? Plus, officials on the ground explain what it's like to work to get vaccines ...
01.21.2021 The Biden era begins President Biden campaigned on a promise to fix what’s broken, to repair divisions, to pull the country out of sickness, and to restore norms and institutions that were pillars of the Washington in which he built his career. Can he ...
01.14.2021 What’s next for Trump? President Trump's businesses are taking a hit, he's been impeached a second time and he might face legal challenges after he leaves office. Reporter David Fahrenthold answers questions about what’s next for Trump.
01.12.2021 One impeachment is rare. Two is unprecedented. Why impeach a president who is on his way out? When would a Senate trial start? Can President Trump be convicted after he leaves office? What does this mean for the GOP? Author of The Post’s Power Up newsletter, Jacqueline ...
01.07.2021 Trump incited a mob. American Democracy suffered. The breach of the U.S. Capitol was a remarkable moment in American history. Professor Sarah Binder explains how the usually uneventful vote was expected to unfold, and reporter Philip Bump lays out the challenges a divided GOP faces in the ...
12.29.2020 How can the Supreme Court maintain impartiality in America's modern political climate? Over the holiday break, we're bringing back an old episode that has resonance today. What happens to the public's perceived independence of the Supreme Court when confirmation processes devolve into partisan battles? Original air date: October 5, 2018
12.28.2020 The problems with pardon power We’re looking back at an episode that sheds light on President Trump’s actions as his term ends. Reporter Toluse Olorunippa explores the principles and controversy around presidential pardons after Trump’s clemencies. Original air date: February 20, 2020.
12.23.2020 Trump and the economy: The administration’s biggest victories also exacerbated our divides The final episode in the reprisal of our series on President Trump’s legacy focuses on uneven gains in the Trump era. The stock market and the wealthiest Americans have done better, but at the cost of growing inequality. Original air ...
12.22.2020 Trump and science: An erosion of our institutions, in public and behind the scenes We're revisiting our series on the legacy of Trump's administration. Through weakening agencies and shuttering scientific programs, the administration has increased divisions in our trust of science-based guidance. Original air date: Oct. 28, 2020.
12.21.2020 Trump and race: How the president’s rhetoric and policies divided us Over the holiday break, we're bringing back our series on President Trump's legacy. Trump has been surrounded by race-related controversies. Some hoped he would moderate his tone, but instead, he has inflamed tensions. Original air date: Oct. 27, 2020
12.17.2020 Trump’s last chance President Trump only has one last way to challenge the results of the election -- and he'll need Congress. How long can he hold onto his influence on GOP leaders and voters in his base? And how might his influence ...
12.10.2020 Trump takes credit for the vaccine. Does he deserve it? How much did Trump’s efforts effect vaccine development? Has Operation Warp Speed done more to help than our government’s pre-existing pandemic response system? Dr. Nicole Lurie of The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations answers questions.
12.04.2020 Pardon me? And my family? And maybe my lawyer? President Trump is reportedly considering pardoning himself and his family for potential future Justice Department charges. Can he do that? And where does recent news of a “bribery-for-pardon” scheme fit into a president's limitations on pardon power?
11.19.2020 Trump’s lame-duck agenda: Lessons from history and warnings for coronavirus Are Trump's major moves during a lame-duck period unprecedented? Professor Jeremi Suri offers an example from history with lessons for today. Plus, reporter Yasmeen Abutaleb on the implications of Trump's approach to the virus for Biden's incoming team.
11.13.2020 Does Trump’s refusal to concede put national security at risk? Experts are concerned that the president's unwillingness to start a transition threatens our country’s safety by denying President-elect Joe Biden resources and intelligence. Shane Harris explains the risks when a president blocks a smooth transition.
11.05.2020 What do Trump’s legal threats actually accomplish? The Trump campaign’s legal team has launched a legal blitz. What do these moves do? Will the suits stop vote counting or overturn results? Election law expert Edward Foley explains how the Trump team's fight in the courts could shape ...
10.29.2020 Trump and the economy: The administration’s biggest victories also exacerbated our divides As a businessman candidate Donald Trump said that he was the only one who could deliver major gains for U.S. workers. The stock market and the wealthiest Americans have seen gains during his administration but at a cost — ever-growing ...
10.28.2020 Trump and science: An erosion of our institutions, in public and behind the scenes Through his administration’s efforts to weaken agencies, control the flow of information coming out of government and shutter scientific programs, we explore how President Trump has increased divisions in our willingness to accept science-based guidance.
10.27.2020 Trump and race: How the president’s rhetoric and policies divided us President Trump has been surrounded by controversies over his rhetoric when it comes to race. Some hoped he would moderate his tone in office, but four years later, the president has inflamed racial tensions more — through both rhetoric and ...
10.22.2020 How 2020 races across the country lay the groundwork for a president’s influence Races across the country -- from the U.S. Senate to state houses -- will have implications for the future of our electoral landscape and matter for the power of the next president. Reporter Dave Weigel on the 2020 races you ...
10.15.2020 The 2020 election is facing big challenges. Which ones matter most? Which election-related legal battles are likely to have the biggest impacts? What new voting issues might emerge as Election Day gets closer? Reporter Amy Gardner on her coverage of our electoral system and the tests it faces in 2020.
10.08.2020 A week after we learned of Trump’s covid-19 diagnosis, why don’t we know more? Recent events raised questions about what happens if a president can’t consent to transfer power. Reporter David Nakamura discusses practices around the president's health and safety and law professor Brian Kalt explains how the 25th Amendment works.
10.02.2020 What happens if Trump refuses to accept a loss? What potential constitutional chaos may we face as a nation after Election Day? What legal and institutional mechanisms can stop American presidents from wrongfully holding onto power? Lawrence Douglas, law professor at Amherst College, explains.
09.24.2020 How the Supreme Court became the most trusted branch, and how electoral politics might undo that Can the president push through a confirmation? Can the Democrats pack the court? What's at stake for our country? Judicial politics expert Lisa Holmes and congressional reporter Paul Kane answer key questions amidst a contentious battle for the bench.
09.17.2020 Is the federal government to blame for wildfires gone out of control? Reporter Seung Min Kim on how Trump’s refusal to acknowledge human-caused climate change affects the country’s wildfire management and response plans. Plus, environmental analysis professor Char Miller on who's really responsible for fire mitigation.
09.10.2020 The Justice Dept. intervenes on behalf of Trump in defamation case. What happens next? In this segment from "Post Reports," Matt Zapatosky talks about how the Justice Department on Tuesday intervened in the defamation lawsuit brought by a woman who says President Trump raped her years ago.
09.03.2020 Two different stories of American unrest How much do these two starkly different Kenosha, Wis., narratives reflect the divisions in our country? How much are they responsible for stoking those divisions? are there any checks on what the U.S. president can say? Reporter Ashley Parker explains.
08.27.2020 Trump suggested sending law enforcement to the polls. Can he do that? Historically, Republicans have used similar tactics to scare people of color away from the polls. Election law expert Rick Hasen and reporter Rosalind Helderman explain what the RNC is planning for Election Day and how today’s laws apply.
08.20.2020 Postal problems persist. (But your mail-in ballot is probably safe.) Are Postal Service operations no longer in jeopardy? Can USPS ensure all mail-in ballots get where they need to go? And, most critically, has irreparable damage been done to America’s faith in our electoral system? Reporter Jacob Bogage unpacks the ...
08.13.2020 How an extraordinary election season affects Trump’s reelection chances Chief political correspondent Dan Balz explains how the pandemic has reshaped the 2020 election and what those changes mean for Trump’s prospects for winning the presidency again.
08.06.2020 TikTok flip-flop: What’s the president’s power over foreign companies? Technology reporter Rachel Lerman explains why President Trump wants to block TikTok and James Lewis, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, explains how the administration can take steps to change things for the Chinese-owned app.
07.30.2020 How America votes is inherently unpredictable. So why do polling? The Post's polling team, Scott Clement and Emily Guskin, delve into conducting and interpreting polls during an election season. How exactly can polls be representative of the electorate? And are polls predictive of how a country will eventually vote?
07.23.2020 A double down on federal force, a do-over on coronavirus President Trump receives poor marks from Americans on two major issues: his handling of the coronavirus and anti-racism protests. Yet, he's taking two starkly different approaches. Reporters Ashley Parker and Matt Zapotosky on Trump's evolving messages.
07.16.2020 Conventions vs. covid-19: Trump’s push for a spectacle while the virus surges Why is Trump so adamant about holding an in-person convention during a pandemic? How might the RNC be a critical campaign moment for Trump? Reporter Michael Scherer explains how this year's conventions will look unlike any modern conventions we've seen.
07.09.2020 Will the Court’s decision on electors prevent (at least some) election mayhem? The Supreme Court says states can require electors to support its popular vote winner. Election law expert Paul Smith of the Campaign Legal Center unpacks what the decision means for both November’s election and the future of the electoral college.
07.02.2020 July 4 special: 'The Framers would not recognize the modern presidency.’ For this Fourth of July, we’re bringing back this special episode. Jeff Rosen, president of the National Constitution Center, explains how the Founding Fathers intended the presidency and how it has evolved. Original air date: July 4, 2019.
06.25.2020 Virus cases are surging in the U.S. Is our government better prepared now? Where does the federal response stand? And how does the U.S. response compare to the response globally? What can we learn from countries who are seeing smaller scale spikes and have plans to contain them? Reporters Yasmeen Abutaleb and Rick ...
06.18.2020 An ‘erratic’ and ‘stunningly uninformed’ commander in chief: Inside Bolton’s book The Washington Post obtained a copy of former national security advisor John Bolton’s memoir. White House reporter Josh Dawsey on what’s in it, the escalating legal battle around it and whether it may influence the 2020 presidential election.
06.11.2020 Public sentiment on police reform has shifted dramatically. Will it matter? Reporter Seung Min Kim explains the details of federal police reform efforts from Congress and the White House. Plus, Lisa Cylar Barrett of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, on whether current local and national efforts reflect the hopes of reform ...
06.04.2020 Trump’s response to unrest raises concerns among those trained to detect democratic regression The administration's response to civil unrest presents major questions about the president’s approach to power. Can Trump use tactics at home that the U.S. condemns abroad? What are the risks of politicizing the military? Reporter Greg Miller explains.

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:

How a voting law ignited a culture war

Biden’s big bet on big government

Do presidents have the power to stop mass shootings?

The political power of culture wars

Biden signed a $1.9 trillion bill. How much relief will Americans feel?

How to fix our democracy? Start in Kindergarten.

Reshaping the role of the Justice Department

Biden’s shifting benchmarks for reopening schools

The duty of a president during crisis

Biden says he wants to reunite migrant families. It won’t be easy.

Will Biden get you a vaccine?

The Biden era begins

What’s next for Trump?

One impeachment is rare. Two is unprecedented.

Trump incited a mob. American Democracy suffered.

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

The problems with pardon power

Trump and the economy: The administration’s biggest victories also exacerbated our divides

Trump and science: An erosion of our institutions, in public and behind the scenes

Trump and race: How the president’s rhetoric and policies divided us

Trump’s last chance

Trump takes credit for the vaccine. Does he deserve it?

Pardon me? And my family? And maybe my lawyer?

Trump’s lame-duck agenda: Lessons from history and warnings for coronavirus

Does Trump’s refusal to concede put national security at risk?

What do Trump’s legal threats actually accomplish?

Trump and the economy: The administration’s biggest victories also exacerbated our divides

Trump and science: An erosion of our institutions, in public and behind the scenes

Trump and race: How the president’s rhetoric and policies divided us

How 2020 races across the country lay the groundwork for a president’s influence

The 2020 election is facing big challenges. Which ones matter most?

A week after we learned of Trump’s covid-19 diagnosis, why don’t we know more?

What happens if Trump refuses to accept a loss?

How the Supreme Court became the most trusted branch, and how electoral politics might undo that

Is the federal government to blame for wildfires gone out of control?

The Justice Dept. intervenes on behalf of Trump in defamation case. What happens next?

Two different stories of American unrest

Trump suggested sending law enforcement to the polls. Can he do that?

Postal problems persist. (But your mail-in ballot is probably safe.)

How an extraordinary election season affects Trump’s reelection chances

TikTok flip-flop: What’s the president’s power over foreign companies?

How America votes is inherently unpredictable. So why do polling?

A double down on federal force, a do-over on coronavirus

Conventions vs. covid-19: Trump’s push for a spectacle while the virus surges

Will the Court’s decision on electors prevent (at least some) election mayhem?

July 4 special: 'The Framers would not recognize the modern presidency.’

Virus cases are surging in the U.S. Is our government better prepared now?

An ‘erratic’ and ‘stunningly uninformed’ commander in chief: Inside Bolton’s book

Public sentiment on police reform has shifted dramatically. Will it matter?

Trump’s response to unrest raises concerns among those trained to detect democratic regression

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