Trump's trip to Dayton and El Paso marked by protests, attacks on critics | TheHill

"It bore no resemblance to what took place with those incredible people that I was so lucky to meet and spend time with."Trump later told reporters in El Paso that Whaley and Brown were "very dishonest" and that Democrats "shouldn't be politicking today."Whaley expressed confusion at the president's earlier comments, noting that she and Brown said Trump was "comforting" and well-received by first responders.Trump was perhaps irked by the two Ohio Democrats harping on the lack of federal action on gun violence, with Brown suggesting nothing had been done because the president and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSherrod Brown now says he'll join Trump during Dayton trip Trump 'all in favor' of background checks but doubts will of Congress Advocates ramp up pressure on criminal justice measure MORE (R-Ky.) are "in bed with the gun lobby."Stricter gun laws were front of mind for residents in El Paso and Dayton, many of whom greeted Trump with protests.Demonstrators in Dayton chanted, "Do something!" And one city commissioner wrote an open letter encouraging Trump to use executive action if needed to decrease gun violence.In El Paso, banners calling to outlaw assault weapons were mixed in with posters denouncing white supremacy.Trump said Wednesday morning that he was "all in favor" of stronger background checks and has voiced support for "red flag" laws that would allow law enforcement to obtain a court order to confiscate firearms from dangerous individuals.But Trump threw cold water on a possible ban on high-powered weapons, citing a lack of congressional support, and has in the past backed off an embrace of stronger gun laws in the face of pressure from the National Rifle Association.It’s unclear how Congress might respond to the recent mass shootings.In a further sign of the impasse, Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerTrump's Nixon-to-China moment on guns Schumer, GOP Rep. King urge McConnell to give background check bill a vote Pelosi says House recess could be cut short if Senate passes background checks bill MORE (D-N.Y.) called the red flag law supported by Republican senators an "ineffective cop out."McConnell has not brought legislation passed by the House to expand background checks up for a vote.Local officials sought to impress upon Trump the urgency of the matter during his visits Wednesday.“Do I think that we’re going to see another mass shooting tomorrow or Friday?" Whaley said.