Why Hillary Clinton’s Emails Are a Core Vulnerability

If you only read one thing: Donald Trump lasted just over 24 hours—27 hours, to be exact—before putting his foot in his mouth after his Detroit economic speech Monday. At a rally in North Carolina on Tuesday, Trump appeared to call for political violence to prevent Hillary Clinton from making judicial nominations if she is elected, saying, “Second Amendment people” could provide another option. Almost immediately, Democrats and many Republicans seized on the comment as a call for assassination or insurrection. Trump’s response didn’t help, as his campaign blasted supposed media bias. But in subsequent interviews, Trump never did the one thing which would have put an end to the story—condemning violence and saying he misspoke. Instead, he is once again off-message, as his poll numbers show new vulnerabilities for the fall.

New State Department emails highlight the unsavory relationship between the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton-led State Department during her tenure, with foundation aides and State Department officials corresponding about setting up a controversial major donor with meetings with high-level officials. The email is only the tip of the iceberg, as the State Department is only just beginning to produce documents about the relationship. It’s a reminder of Clinton’s core vulnerability, but one that has been overshadowed by Donald Trump’s mouth.

Donald Trump talks to TIME about the debates. Carly Fiorina eyes her next job. And Chris Christie facing new Bridgegate questions.

Here are your must reads:

Must Reads

Donald Trump Says ‘I Want to Debate Very Badly.’ But He Has Conditions
‘I renegotiated the debates in the primaries, remember?’ he tells TIME

What Happens When Truth Becomes a Political Casualty
Trump’s slippery slope links Clinton to Iranian execution, TIME’s Mark Thompson writes

Carly Fiorina Plotting Bid to Chair Republican National Committee
The race to define the post-Trump GOP is on [TIME]

Newly Released Emails Highlight Clinton Foundation’s Ties to State Department
Aide to Bill Clinton asked Mrs. Clinton’s assistants to set up meeting between State, foundation donor [Wall Street Journal]

RNC Suffers Spate of Trump-Related Departures
For some young staff members, the party’s embrace of its nominee is a “deal breaker” [Politico]

Donald Trump’s Support Among Republican Women Starts to Slide
More polling trouble for the GOP nominee [New York Times]

Sound Off

“If she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do folks. Although the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don’t know.” — Donald Trump at a rally in North Carolina Tuesday

“This is a political movement. This is a strong powerful movement, the Second Amendment. Hillary wants to take your guns away. She wants to leave you unprotected in your home. And there can be no other interpretation. I mean, give me a break.” — Trump to Sean Hannity on the controversy over his remarks

Bits and Bites

Speaker Paul Ryan Easily Fends Off Challenger in Wisconsin Primary [TIME]

Former Secret Service Official: Donald Trump Is ‘Pretty Close to the Edge’ [TIME]

Clinton-Trump debate sites plan for a third podium [Politico]

Clinton scores major GOP donor from Trump [Politico]

Aide Said Christie ‘Lied’ About Staff Not Being Involved in Bridge Lane Closures [Wall Street Journal]