The Note: What The 2016ers Are Saying About Baltimore

— -- NOTABLES

--OBAMA -- 'NO EXCUSE' FOR 'SENSELESS' VIOLENCE IN BALTIMORE: President Obama condemned the violence in Baltimore yesterday, saying there is "no excuse" for the violence, looting and arson that followed the funeral held for Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old African American who died after suffering a spine injury in police custody earlier this month. "They're not protesting, they're not making a statement, they're stealing," Obama said in a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, ABC's BENJAMIN SIEGEL reports. "They're destroying and undermining businesses and opportunities in their own communities that rob jobs and opportunity from people in that area," he added. http://abcn.ws/1ENHfHd

--HILLARY CLINTON SET TO UNVEIL PLAN TO REFORM CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: At a policy forum today in New York City, Hillary Clinton will lay out "specific policy proposals" on ways to begin reforming the country's criminal justice system, according to an aide. ABC's LIZ KREUTZ reports that the plan is expected to be two-fold: It will include ending the era of mass incarceration, specifically by reforming"probation and drug diversions, increasing support for mental health and drug treatment, and pursuing alternative punishments for low level offenders, especially young people." Second, it will include calling for every police department in the country to have body cameras. These policy proposals are likely to be her most specific yet as a presidential candidate. http://abcn.ws/1JA5uKg

--2016 REPUBLICANS HOPEFULS RESPOND: The unrest in Baltimore has sparked reaction from 2016 presidential candidates and likely contenders.. Ted Cruz issued a statement condemning the destruction in Baltimore, while also calling for justice for Freddie Gray. Rand Paul weighed in on the situation in an interview with conservative radio host Laura Ingraham Tuesday, saying the situation is symptomatic of crumbling moral code in American society that includes a "breakdown of the family structure" and "lack of fathers." Real estate mogul Donald Trump, who is once again flirting with entering the presidential contest as a Republican candidate, criticized the Baltimore mayor and police department for their handling of the situation. ABC's JORDYN PHELPS has more. http://abcn.ws/1OB6Wzf

THE BUZZ

with ABC's VERONICA STRACQUALURSI

BERNIE SANDERS TO ANNOUNCE HE'S RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT. Sen. Bernie Sanders is planning to announce on Thursday that he will run for president - and will enter primary and caucus contests as a Democrat, a senior Sanders adviser tells ABC News. The announcement will indicate that Sanders will launch his campaign in May, most likely in his home state of Vermont, according to ABC's RICK KLEIN. This gives Democrats at least one liberal alternative to Hillary Clinton, and her first formal challenger, period. Sanders is a self described independent socialist and will enter as a definite long shot. The announcement comes at a period of growing liberal unease over President Obama's agenda, and amid angst that Clinton won't be pushed sufficiently leftward with Elizabeth Warren taking a pass on the race. http://abcn.ws/1zlkKaz