President Donald Trump was on the defensive during his trips to El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, Wednesday to visit with victims of two back-to-back mass shootings, as he was met with protests calling for action on gun control and a stronger crackdown on white nationalist terror.

Closer to home, Gov. Charlie Baker weathers a scandal at the RMV, worsening traffic, and continuing problems at the MBTA that have led to an increasingly irritated public. Meanwhile, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has been asked about this week’s conviction of two City Hall officials.

To discuss, Jim Braude was joined by Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards, Charles Chieppo of the Pioneer Institute, and his Boston Public Radio co-host Margery Eagan.