Can He Do That?

Can He Do That?

“Can He Do That?” is The Washington Post’s politics podcast, exploring the powers and limitations of the American presidency, and what happens when they're tested. Led by host Allison Michaels, each episode asks a new question about this extraordinary moment in American history and answers with insight into how our government works, how to understand ongoing events, and the implications when branches of government collide.
The path to the 2028 primary

The path to the 2028 primary

On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey and Rhonda Colvin are joined by national political reporter Maeve Reston to break down what's going on with Democrats – from the big stars like Kamala Harris, who have recently run for office, to the up-and-coming names who are already positioning themselves for potential 2028 presidential runs. Plus, what are Democrats in Congress, and former Biden officials, doing to fight back against the Trump administration's most controversial policies?

1 May 2025 - 35 分 36 秒

 
100 days of Trump down, 1,360 to go

100 days of Trump down, 1,360 to go

On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by White House reporter Emily Davies to discuss President Trump's first 100 days back in office – from his campaign-trail promises to his shock-and-awe campaign to change the federal workforce, immigration the economy. Plus, how do Americans feel about Trump and his early policies –and is it what they voted for?

29 Apr 2025 - 34 分 09 秒

 
Elon Musk ditches DOGE

Elon Musk ditches DOGE

On this week’s episode, The Washington Post’s Libby Casey, James Hohmann and JM Rieger discuss the ongoing fallout between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump’s top Cabinet and administration officials, as well as the CEO's announcement Tuesday that he will step away from his U.S. DOGE Service responsibilities as a "special government employee." Musk, a GOP megadonor and close adviser to Trump, has seen his net worth crumble in the aftermath of the current trade war, as his Tesla stock plummets amongst a shaky quarterly earnings report that showed a 71 percent drop in profits. Musk touted a proposal to cut $2 trillion from the annual federal budget on the 2024 presidential campaign trail, and while his DOGE team has caused chaos with numerous job cuts and potentially illegal access to sensitive data information, the actual savings achieved by the DOGE initiative may be just a fraction of what was promised.

24 Apr 2025 - 31 分 22 秒

 
Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon's 'month from hell'

Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon's 'month from hell'

On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, James Hohmann and JM Rieger discuss the latest allegations that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared information about military plans on a group chat – this time, one that reportedly included his wife, brother and personal lawyer. The crew breaks down Hegseth's attempts at damage control, and why he's still in the job. Then, we go inside the reported chaos, screaming matches and proposed DOGE cuts at the Pentagon. And a former Hegseth aide says he was pushed out by a faction of Defense Department employees with an ulterior motive.

22 Apr 2025 - 31 分 32 秒

 
Trump, Jerome Powell and the tariff blame game

Trump, Jerome Powell and the tariff blame game

On this episode, The Washington Post's Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann and JM Rieger break down President Trump's broadside at Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell on Thursday, saying he looks forward to Powell's "termination." The crew explains why Trump wants Powell out as Fed chair – and his long history of targeting the country's central banking system for criticism. Then, a federal judge said he would launch an investigation into whether Trump officials should face criminal contempt charges for defying his order not to remove Venezuelan migrants from the United States. What would happen if an official actually faced a contempt charge?

17 Apr 2025 - 30 分 42 秒

 
Is Trump just winging it, or is there a strategy?

Is Trump just winging it, or is there a strategy?

On this episode, The Washington Post's Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann and JM Rieger break down whether President Trump has a plan to enact his biggest policy priorities – or if major changes to government and policy are being undertaken without detailed objectives. And is there anyone in the White House who Trump truly listens to? Plus, Trump has targeted another University – this time going after Harvard.

15 Apr 2025 - 30 分 46 秒

 
Can the courts stop Trump? Will they?

Can the courts stop Trump? Will they?

On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann break down President Trump's apparent strategy of pushing norms and testing the U.S. court system to see how far he can push his policies. The crew looks at how Trump has approached firing federal workers and immigration – and how the court system has handled legal challenges on both policy fronts. Plus, has the Supreme Court largely given his policies a pass, or is it reigning him in?

10 Apr 2025 - 31 分 27 秒

 
Will Trump negotiate on tariffs?

Will Trump negotiate on tariffs?

On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann discuss the latest on the economy and Trump's tariffs – starting with the short-lived morning rally in the U.S. stock markets. The crew breaks down whether President Trump and his administration might be willing to negotiate with countries on the import duties Trump has put in place. Plus, will a proposed Senate bill that would limit the president's power to put tariffs in place without congressional approval actually pass? Then, the crew breaks down a change to the way the Justice Department will investigate cryptocurrency fraud.

8 Apr 2025 - 33 分 43 秒

 
Tariffs, TikTok and Trump

Tariffs, TikTok and Trump

On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by White House reporter Cat Zakrzewski to discuss the latest on the massive set of tariffs President Trump is putting into place. Plus, how will tariffs affect consumers – and is Congress finally preparing to take some of its own power back? Then: The deadline for a TikTok sale is coming up soon. The crew breaks down the latest on attempts to negotiate a sale to a U.S. buyer.

3 Apr 2025 - 30 分 48 秒

 
What do Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs mean for you?

What do Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs mean for you?

On this episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann are joined by White House economic reporter Jeff Stein to discuss President Trump's proposed sweeping tariffs – and the day he and his team have referred to as "Liberation Day." What effect will those tariffs have, how will the costs be passed on to American citizens, and why is Trump so set on remaking the United States' relationship with the rest of the world? Plus, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) speaks for hours and hours in protest of Trump's early months in office.

2 Apr 2025 - 30 分 49 秒