Axios

When they write the history books about this era of the Supreme Court, its decimation of presidents' regulatory powers will loom just as large as any other issue.

Why it matters: Every modern president leans heavily on executive actions to advance their agenda, and Democrats in particular use federal agencies for climate, health and tech regulation. Those days are numbered.

Forget the pundits. Ignore New York Times editorials and columnists. Tune out people popping off on X.

• The only way President Biden steps aside, despite his debate debacle, is if the same small group of lifelong loyalists who enabled his run suddenly — and shockingly — decides it's time for him to call it quits.

Why it matters: Dr. Jill Biden; his younger sister, Valerie Biden; and 85-year-old Ted Kaufman, the president's longtime friend and constant adviser — plus a small band of White House advisers — are the only Biden deciders.

The past 36 hours showcased two Joe Bidens: the veteran president rallying voters in a swing state, and an 81-year-old man struggling to string thoughts together in a debate.

Why it matters: The public split screen isn't new to many inside the White House, where top aides have meticulously stage-managed minutiae such as Biden's sleep schedule, his orthopedic shoes, his walks to Marine One and his climb aboard Air Force One to try to blunt concerns about his age.

Forget the pundits. Ignore New York Times editorials and columnists. Tune out people popping off on X, Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei write in a Behind the Curtain column.

• The only way President Biden steps aside, despite his debate debacle, is if the same small group of lifelong loyalists who enabled his run suddenly — and shockingly — decides it's time for him to call it quits.

Why it matters: Dr. Jill Biden; his younger sister, Valerie Biden; and 85-year-old Ted Kaufman, the president's longtime friend and constant adviser — plus a small band of White House advisers — are the only Biden deciders.

Some Biden family members are digging in — squinting at overnight polls for signs that undecided voters moved Biden's way because of Trump statements at the debate, Mike and Jim write.

• "They know it was a disaster," said a source close to the family. "But they think there's a glimmer of survival/hope."
• In a Biden campaign memo, "Independent Voters Move to Biden in Debate," officials wrote: "Based on research we conducted during [the] debate, it is clear that the more voters heard from Donald Trump, the more they remembered why they dislike him."

The past 36 hours showcased two Joe Bidens: the veteran president rallying voters in a swing state, and an 81-year-old man struggling to string thoughts together in a debate, Axios' Alex Thompson reports.

• Why it matters: The split screen isn't new inside the White House. To try to blunt concerns about Biden's age, top aides have meticulously stage-managed such minutiae as his sleep schedule, his orthopedic shoes, his walks to Marine One and his climb aboard Air Force One.

When they write the history books about this era of the Supreme Court, its decimation of presidents' regulatory powers will loom just as large as any other issue, Axios' Sam Baker writes.

• Why it matters: Every modern president leans heavily on executive actions to advance their agenda. Democrats, in particular, use federal agencies for climate, health and tech regulation. Those days are numbered.

Between the lines: These rulings aren't always the ones that grab the public's attention.

Organizers at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Germany have had to increase security because fans have gotten so aggressive about seeking selfies with Cristiano Ronaldo.

• The Portugal superstar was nearly hit on Wednesday while entering the players' tunnel by a leaping fan landing next to him.

Go deeper: Vibrant fan culture at Euro 2024 comes at the cost of beer-cup showers and pitch invaders.

A majority of voters — 60% — say President Biden should "definitely" or "probably" be replaced as the Democratic candidate following his performance in Thursday's debate, per a Morning Consult poll released to Axios Friday.

Why it matters: Findings from the poll of 2,068 respondents echoed whispers from Democrats about the prospect of replacing Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate.