Secret Service, TSA and NYPD transform Madison Square Garden into fortress for Trump's NBA Finals visit

Members of the NYPD are huddled outside of Madison Square Garden, as security protocols have been enhanced due to the expected attendance of President Donald Trump, who will become the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game.

The first NBA Finals game played at Madison Square Garden (MSG) since 1999 came with a massive security presence, as President Donald Trump will be attending the Game 3 matchup between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs on Monday night.

With Trump becoming the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game, everyone from media to fans looking to enter "The Garden" was told to arrive early as security protocols would be much more thorough than normal.

Trump arrived at Madison Square Garden about 40 minutes before tip-off.

Fox News Digital was among the media pool waiting around MSG, and can confirm the waits will likely be long with the enhanced security that involves Secret Service, TSA and likely more when fans will be allowed in the building.

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President Donald Trump seen with New York Knicks owner James Dolan at the NBA Finals on June 8, 2026. (Provided to Fox News Digital)

Members of the U.S. Secret Service walk the perimeter of a security fence outside Madison Square Garden ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs on June 8, 2026, in New York City. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)

For media, who are allowed bags and equipment for work compared to fans who must comply with a strict no-bag policy on Monday night, Secret Service and TSA were being thorough with their checks upon entry. A walk through your standard metal detector was next and it was good to go.

Fans could experience more