WASHINGTON -Republican front-runner Donald Trump took fresh steps to reset
his campaign on Wednesday, hiring a top Republican operative and scheduling a
meeting between aides and U.S. lawmakers as he girds for a new phase in his
White House bid.

Trump is under pressure to professionalize his campaign beyond a
close-knit group of advisers and expand the appeal of his anti-establishment
candidacy in the face of fierce opposition from rival U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of
Texas and a well-funded anti-Trump operation run by establishment Republicans.

Trump announced he had hired Rick Wiley as his national
political director. Wiley, a long-time Republican strategist, had been campaign
manager for Scott Walker, the Wisconsin governor who dropped out of the
presidential race last autumn.

“He brings decades of experience, and his deep ties to
political leaders and activists across the country will be a tremendous asset
as we enter the final phase of securing the nomination,” Trump said in a
statement.

In addition, Trump’s campaign arranged a meeting in Washington
of about a dozen U.S. legislators as the fierce anti-establishment candidate
tries to build more relationships inside Washington and broaden his appeal.

The meeting with the lawmakers and senior Trump adviser Ed
Brookover is planned for Thursday morning on Capitol Hill, congressional aides
said.

About a dozen lawmakers are expected to attend, some of whom
have endorsed Trump and some of whom have not but who are interested in his
message. Trump will not be there.

A series of policy speeches Trump plans to begin delivering soon
could be among the topics discussed, one source said.

“They’re definitely planning several policy speeches …
and they are looking for input on those,” a Republican source familiar
with the situation said.

 KELLY: “CHANCE TO CLEAR THE
AIR”

The Trump campaign received some good news when Politico
reported that campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who was charged last month in
Florida with battery on a reporter, will not be prosecuted.

Palm Beach County State Attorney David Aronberg is scheduled to
announce the decision not to press charges on Thursday afternoon, Politico
reported, citing sources with knowledge of the situation.

In another development, Trump met privately at Trump Tower in
New York with Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly after months of attacking her for the
tough questions she asked him at a Republican debate last August about his
treatment of women.

Tensions between Trump and Kelly, and controversial remarks he
has made about abortion, have contributed to Trump’s negative image with women.
Opinion polls show the New York billionaire is viewed unfavorably by women by a
wide margin.

Kelly said on her Fox News show she had asked for the meeting
and used it to request an interview. “We met for about an hour just the
two of us and had a chance to clear the air,” she said.

In recent days Trump has attempted to soften his image with
important constituencies such as female voters.

A group interview on CNN on Tuesday night featured Trump, his
wife, Melania, daughter Ivanka and sons Eric and Donald Jr., and showed a more
personal side to the often-brusque businessman.

Melania
Trump said she had fussed at Trump to stop tweeting at night. “If he would
only listen,” she said, chuckling.