PBS Washington Week with The Atlantic - Full Show Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 02/20/26
Feb 21, 2026
Susan Glasser, New Yorker writer on law and foreign policy; Lisa Desjardins, PBS NewsHour congressional reporter; Eugene Daniels, MS NOW political commentator; Peter Baker, New York Times White House correspondent. They dig into the Supreme Court tariff ruling and legal limits on presidential power. They debate tariffs’ diplomatic and market fallout. They discuss midterm Republican strategies, immigration raids, and tensions around the State of the Union.
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Tariffs Strain Alliances And Create Uncertainty
- Allies worry Trump's tariff-driven diplomacy is unraveling long-standing alliances.
- The Supreme Court check gives temporary relief but uncertainty persists as Trump seeks circumventions.
Tariffs Hurt Voters And GOP Politics
- Tariffs have tangible domestic costs, raising prices for consumers in Trump-won states.
- Republican lawmakers fear taking tariff votes that could alienate moderate voters ahead of midterms.
Messaging Disarray On Kitchen-Table Issues
- Trump struggles to deliver a disciplined economic message despite acknowledging affordability as an issue.
- His focus drifts to other topics, undermining a kitchen-table message voters expect.