Good morning. It's Monday, June 22, and we've been staring at new X-ray images of the universe for hours. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

Trump Rallies in Tulsa

President Trump held his first campaign rally since the pandemic began Saturday, delivering a 100-minute speech to supporters in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Attendance was lower than anticipated, with city officials reporting a crowd size of 6,200 inside the 19,000-seat Bank of Oklahoma Center (see photos). Campaign aides blamed the depressed turnout on news media for heightening fear of the coronavirus, as well as worry over potential protests near the arena. The campaign refuted claims that internet communities, mostly young people from the social media app TikTok and K-pop devotees (see 101), inflated attendance expectations. See highlights from the event here.

In the long race for the presidency, Trump still significantly leads the presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in fundraising cash on hand, $265M to $122M. Biden has picked up steam since becoming the last major Democratic candidate standing after Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) suspended his campaign in April, outraising Trump in the month of May.

Six members of the Trump campaign's advance team tested positive for the coronavirus ahead of the rally. In total, the US has reported 2.28 million cases, with 119,997 deaths, as of this morning. See the three-day moving average here.  

China Unveils National Security Law

China revealed partial details of a Hong Kong national security law that would provide Beijing sweeping authority to crack down on dissent in the city of more than 7 million people. Only some of the reported 66 articles were previewed; however, the text indicates new security units—backed by mainland police—will help enforce the new law. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam will have the power to appoint special judges for national security cases. 

The city has operated under a "one country, two systems" framework since leaving British rule in 1997, with more liberties available than on the mainland. Over that time, its contribution to China's GDP has dropped from 18% to 2.7% (though it remains a world-leading financial center), giving Beijing more latitude to intervene.

Critics argue a wide range of activities may be classified as seditious under the law, stifling free speech and threatening Hong Kong's remaining autonomy. 

Manhattan Showdown

President Trump fired the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman, a move requested by Attorney General William Barr after Berman refused to resign Friday. The district, which includes Manhattan, is one of the oldest and most influential in the country.

Berman was never confirmed by the Senate, as is typical for the position; rather, he was appointed by former Attorney General Jeff Sessions in 2018 on an interim basis, with a court-approved extension lasting until the vacancy was filled. Berman led a number of high-profile investigations, including probes into attorney Michael Avenatti, the death of Jeffrey Epstein, and associates of Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani. 

Jay Clayton, the chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, is expected to be nominated for the position. Notably, Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said he would honor vetoes from the state's senators, Chuck Schumer (D) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D). 

Read Berman's dismissal letter here.

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