How President Obama Will Pressure Bernie Sanders

If you only read one thing: Bernie Sanders will face pressure from President Obama Thursday to step aside and unify behind Hillary Clinton. In a White House meeting that the candidate requested, Obama is expected to congratulate Sanders on his surprising effort, while encouraging him to cease his plans to contest the convention—a move that could weaken Clinton before the general election with Donald Trump. But it remains to be seen whether Sanders is ready to give up—and snubbing a direct request from Obama could further alienate him from the party’s mainstream.

Donald Trump came under brutal criticism from GOP leaders this week over comments he made about Judge Gonzalo Curiel. Trump told TIME Wednesday that he was “surprised and disappointed” by the criticism from House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. He also signaled that the subdued candidate that appeared on television on Tuesday won’t be the one on stage when he returns to the campaign trail in earnest tomorrow. Trump is set to begin a nine-day campaign and fundraising swing through swing states and GOP strongholds in hopes of putting the controversies of the past two weeks behind him. And next week, he plans to try to redirect some of his fire away from the judge and onto Hillary Clinton.

Clinton conducted a round of news interviews Wednesday—the most accessible she has been since becoming a candidate again. Clinton reflected on achieving the nomination eight years after falling short, while laying the foundation for the coming five months of attacks on Trump’s foreign and domestic agendas.

India’s Prime Minister makes fun of congressional partisanship. Donald Trump talks about forgiveness. And Vice President Joe Biden calls for giving Sanders space.

Here are your must-reads:

Must Reads

Donald Trump Says He’s ‘Disappointed’ by Criticism From Republican Leaders
He tells TIME he doesn’t think it was necessary, and that his subdued tone was only temporary

Trump Son-in-Law Emerges as Quiet Force
Jared Kushner is involved in every aspect of the campaign [Associated Press]

Donald Trump Set to Meet With Top GOP Fundraisers Thursday in New York
Trump has at least 10 fundraisers on the books over next 9 days [Washington Post]

Obama to Meet With Sanders to Nudge Him to Fully Back Clinton
Oval Office meeting comes amid unity push [New York Times]

Sound Off

“It was a healthy thing for the Democratic Party to have– a contested primary. I thought that Bernie Sanders brought enormous energy and new ideas. And he pushed the party and challenged them. I thought it made Hillary a better candidate.” — Obama to Jimmy Fallon on the Democratic primary

“It’s something I’m still processing.” — Hillary Clinton to the New York Times on the implications of becoming the first woman atop a major party ticket

Bits and Bites

Indian Prime Minister Jokes About U.S. Politics During Congressional Speech [TIME]

Donald Trump Says He Hopes Not to Have to Ask God ‘For Much Forgiveness’ [TIME]

Obama: ‘I Am Worried About the Republican Party’ [TIME]

Biden on Sanders: ‘We Should Be a Little Graceful’ [CNN]

Paul Ryan Lays Out GOP’s National Security Agenda, Softening Trump’s Edges [Washington Post]

There Are More White Voters Than People Think. That’s Good News for Trump. [The Upshot]