Everyone in politics is expendable. Some figure this out and bow out gracefully, as did former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy when members of his own party worked with the Democrats to oust him from the speakership last year. Others learn it the hard way.

President Joe Biden appears to be in the latter camp. After a scathing special counsel report this week confirmed the acceleration of the 81-year-old’s mental decline — he allegedly couldn’t remember when he had been vice president or when his late son Beau died — Biden held an impromptu press conference on Thursday night to combat the allegations.