Friday briefing: Debt ceiling talks; Trump’s classified documents; Stewart Rhodes; Ken Paxton; Clean Water Act; and more

(Illustration by Katty Huertas/The Post)

1

A deal to prevent a catastrophic U.S. debt default is emerging.

• Last night: Negotiators were inching toward an agreement that would raise the limit on the amount of money the government can borrow for two years in exchange for spending cuts.
• What’s at stake: In as few as six days, the U.S. may not be able to pay all of its obligations. That could crash the stock market, impact Social Security and Medicare payments, and more.

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EXCLUSIVE

2

Trump workers moved boxes of papers a day before an FBI visit.

• Where? At Mar-a-Lago, former president Donald Trump’s Florida home. It happened in June, before FBI agents came to retrieve classified documents, The Post reported yesterday.
• Why it matters: It could help prosecutors determine Trump’s intent in keeping hundreds of documents after he left the White House — a key factor in deciding whether to file charges.

3

The longest Jan. 6-related prison sentence yet was handed down yesterday.

• For who? Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes. He was given 18 years for seditious conspiracy after leading a violent plot to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s election victory.
• Zooming out: The investigation into the 2021 attack on the Capitol is the biggest in American history, with hundreds charged.

4

Texas lawmakers recommended impeaching Attorney General Ken Paxton.

• What to know: A state House committee backed the move in a vote yesterday. It sets the stage for the potential ousting of the state‘s top lawyer.
• Why? It’s largely over Paxton’s alleged efforts to protect a donor from an FBI investigation and block staff whistleblower complaints.
• What’s next? An impeachment vote is expected soon.

5

The Supreme Court weakened the government’s power to protect wetlands.

• How? It cut back the EPA’s ability to enforce the Clean Water Act. In a ruling yesterday, justices said the agency’s interpretation of its powers went too far.
• What it means: It could stop the EPA from putting protections on as much as 118 million acres of wetlands — an area larger than California’s landmass.
• Up next: More key Supreme Court decisions are coming this term. Follow the cases here.

6

Scientists discovered 5,000 sea creatures nobody knew existed.

Video taken from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean shows a variety of previously unknown sea species. (Video: ROV Isis, SMARTEX Project, Natural Environment Research Council, UK)

• What are they? They include species that look like partially peeled bananas and upside-down chandeliers, and octopuses named after Casper the Friendly Ghost.
• How they were found: By a new analysis in a potential deep-sea mining hot spot in the Pacific. Mining it may threaten other undiscovered creatures, the research warned.

7

Memorial Day weekend will kick off a busy summer travel season.

• What to know: Around 42 million people are expected to travel more than 50 miles from home, up 7% from last year. It will be a test for airlines and the FAA after recent chaos.
• Some advice: Get to the airport as early as possible and watch for potential storms in the Southeast. And if you’re cooking, dust off the grill and try one of these recipes.

And now … what to watch this weekend: Disney’s new version of “The Little Mermaid” is in theaters. Plus, hit HBO drama “Succession” ends Sunday.

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