Would the GOP Rather Lose With Cruz?

If Donald Trump goes on to win the GOP nomination, he will do so as a historically unpopular candidate both in his party and nationwide, largely because of weeks like this one. A series of incendiary statements—even for him—delivered Wednesday have only cemented the growing opposition to his candidacy. He repeatedly stated that women who undergo illegal abortions should be punished, a position rejected by most pro-life groups who only want to punish the provider, before flip-flopping in a matter of hours. Trump went on to blame the Geneva Conventions for the U.S. military’s troubles dealing with ISIS. This came on top of mind-bending comments Tuesday on nuclear nonproliferation. With party leaders dumbfounded, a growing movement is willing to dump Trump at the convention, even if it means losing in the fall. They argue that Trump, because of his deficits with women and minority voters would lose anyway, and they’d rather have the candidate who won’t sabotage their down-ballot hopes.

FBI Director James Comey‘s investigation into Hillary Clinton‘s emails make him one of the most influential people in 2016, whether he wants the attention or not. TIME’s Massimo Calabresi profiles the bureau’s fiercely apolitical leader as he spearheads one of the most politically consequential investigations in years.

Bernie Sanders may be off the DC primary ballot on a technicality. Ted Cruz opposes changing the GOP’s convention rules. And facing long odds in Wisconsin, Clinton turns to New York.

Here are your must-reads:

Must Reads

Donald Trump Backs ‘Punishment’ for Women Who Get Abortions, Then Backtracks
TIME’s Tessa Berenson on Trump’s latest flip-flop

The FBI Chief on the Trail of Hillary’s Emails
What James Comey’s investigation reveals could change the course of the election, TIME’s Massimo Calabresi reports

Why America’s Largest Voting Bloc Isn’t Voting for Trump
The Republican frontrunner has a woman problem [TIME]

Trump Wants to Free the Nuclear Genie
Policy would mark a major, and dangerous, shift in U.S. foreign policy, TIME’s Mark Thompson writes

Will the GOP Try to Lose With Cruz?
Torpedoing Trump could split the party, but many Republicans think it’s worth it [TIME]

Sound Off

“There has to be some form of punishment.” — Donald Trump in an MSNBC town hall Wednesday saying there should be punishments for women who undergo abortions if he is successful in overturning Roe v. Wade. Within two hours he flip-flopped saying only the provider should be punished, adding, “My position has not changed.”

“Once again Donald Trump has demonstrated that he hasn’t seriously thought through the issues, and he’ll say anything just to get attention. … Of course we shouldn’t be talking about punishing women; we should affirm their dignity and the incredible gift they have to bring life into the world.” — Ted Cruz on Trump’s comments

Bits and Bites

What Life Is Like for Prisoners After Their Sentences Are Commuted [TIME]

Donald Trump Releases Odd Letter on Tied-up Tax Returns [NBC]

15-Year-Old Girl Assaulted at Donald Trump Rally, Police Say [TIME]

Here Are 30 Times Donald Trump Has Said Something That Could Have Sunk Another Candidate [Wall Street Journal]

Bernie Sanders May Be Off DC Ballot After Democratic Party Filing [NBC Washington]

Cruz Opposes Changing GOP Convention Rules [YouTube]

Wisconsin’s Largest Paper Blasts Clinton on Transparency [Politico]

Shifting From Wisconsin, Hillary Clinton Tells New Yorkers That She’s One of Them [New York Times]