Two members of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s administration are currently on trial in federal court, accused of illegally forcing the Boston Calling music festival to use union labor back in 2014.

Isaiah Thompson, who’s covering their trial for WGBH News, breaks down the case against Kenneth Brissette, Boston’s head of tourism and entertainment, and Timothy Sullivan, the city’s intergovernmental affairs chief, which he calls rife with ambiguity. Then Thompson, Peter Kadzis, and Adam Reilly size up the political implications of the proceedings.

First, though, Peter offers his take on what Robert Mueller’s congressional testimony tells about culture and politics in the 21st century. Spoiler alert: it’s not uplifting.