Why Trump Backed Down

It’s the first Tuesday in more than a month without a primary or caucus. But town halls abound, as Donald Trump appears in House Speaker Paul Ryan‘s hometown and the three remaining Republicans face off on cable news Tuesday evening.

After threatening to sue over the delegate selection process in Louisiana, Trump is backing down. His campaign says it is only filing a challenge with the Republican National Committee, alleging its delegates weren’t invited to a meeting to elect leaders for the delegation—even though Trump supporters were in fact there. But the course-reversal reveals why Trump’s oft-used tactic, lawsuits, is unlikely to get him very far in the race for the GOP nomination, as political parties are given broad leeway by the courts to do as they please.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich sought to reassure top supporters Monday that he remains committed to fighting through a contested convention, as aides laid out their strategy to potential delegates. The campaign is looking for significant gains in the northeast in the coming month, saying they will run the upcoming races as though Kasich were running for governor. They are hoping that Kasich’s success in head-to-head match-ups with Hillary Clinton, far ahead of his two rivals, will give delegates pause on the floor. And the campaign is betting that its hometown advantage in a booming Cleveland will swing support their way.

President Obama excoriated the press for its coverage of the 2016 campaign, saying the media shares the blame for the divisive, personal, and sometimes fact-less primary. Speaking at a journalism awards ceremony in Washington, Obama called for more intensive coverage of candidates’ records and the feasibility of their promises, saying that without that, voters are being duped. He added that world leaders are growing more concerned about the political situation in the U.S. and warned that instability could reverberate around the globe.

One week from the Wisconsin primary, Gov. Scott Walker is set to endorse a candidate at 10:05 Eastern. Walker has been leaning toward Ted Cruz, who currently polls the strongest against Trump in the state. Meanwhile Kasich’s campaign is scaling back their strategy around a few congressional districts in the state where they see opportunities to pick up delegates.

Here are your must-reads:

Must Reads

Donald Trump’s Campaign Backs Down From Threatened Lawsuit Over Delegates
Trump’s favorite tactic is unlikely to help him in the race for the nomination [TIME]

Kasich Reassures Supporters as Aides Lay Out Convention Plans
His hopes rest on a contested convention in his home state [TIME]

Tired of Being Defined by Others, G.O.P. Women Speak for Themselves
Lawmakers seek to remake party’s brand [New York Times]

Georgia Governor Vetoes Religious Protection Bill
After business outcry that it would legalize discrimination [Associated Press]

Trump Brings GOP Civil War to Paul Ryan’s Backyard
The billionaire’s Janesville rally Tuesday kicks off a week-long scramble for delegates, momentum and the future of the Republican party [Politico]

Sound Off

“The number one question I am getting as I travel around the world or talk to world leaders right now is, what is happening in America—about our politics. And it’s not because around the world people have not seen crazy politics; it is that they understand America is the place where you can’t afford completely crazy politics.” — President Obama Monday at a journalism awards dinner in Washington, where he criticized the press’ coverage of the presidential race.

“I signed a pledge to be a good, honorable guy and maybe they’re not treating me honorably—we’re going to find out.” — Donald Trump to Sean Hannity Monday raising the possibility once again that he may back away from his GOP loyalty pledge

Bits and Bites

Obama Slams ‘Divisive’ and ‘Vulgar’ Rhetoric of 2016 Campaign [TIME]

Top Kasich Aide: Romney Tried to Help Broker Backchannel With Cruz Campaign [CNN]

Wisconsin Radio Host’s Combative Interview Surprises Donald Trump [New York Times]

Secret Service: No Guns at July GOP Convention [Wall Street Journal]

Cruz Calls Georgia Governor’s Veto of Religious Freedom Bill ‘Very Disappointing’ [Washington Post]

After More Than a Decade as a Civilian Working in Two War Zones, Uncertainty About What’s Next [Washington Post]

Donald Trump Hires Paul Manafort to Lead Delegate Effort [New York Times]

These Are The Phrases That Sanders And Clinton Repeat Most [FiveThirtyEight]

How the Delegate System Works in Pennsylvania [Pittsburgh Tribune Review]

Clinton Super PAC Readies Early Trump Strike [Politico]

Trump Faces Talk Radio Headwind in Wisconsin [Associated Press]