President Donald Trump attended a New York Yankees game on Thursday behind thick security glass and flanked by senior administration officials, a departure from the more relaxed family outing he took to the US Open final earlier in the week.
The heightened protection came in the wake of the assassination of far-right activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, and on the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, according to accounts of the events. Trump was joined at Yankee Stadium by Attorney General Pam Bondi, senior counsel Boris Epshteyn, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, among others.
Security at the ballpark was noticeably increased. Each entrance featured metal detectors and Secret Service agents, some gates had sniffer dogs, and New York Police Department helicopters hovered overhead. Fans reported that snipers were positioned on the stadium roof and that gates opened three hours before the first pitch to manage long lines. The Secret Service posted a notice warning attendees that additional screening time would be necessary and encouraged fans to "consider leaving your bags at home to help speed up the security screening process," according to the notice.
Trump met with Yankees players in the locker room prior to the game and later took his seat in a suite, where he drew a mixed reaction from the crowd, receiving both cheers and boos when his image appeared on the scoreboard during the national anthem. Earlier in the week, Trump attended the US Open men's final at Arthur Ashe Stadium with family members, including granddaughter Arabella Kushner and son-in-law Jared Kushner, and was seated in an open-air box.
Several New York Republicans and conservative media figures were also present at the Yankees game, including former Long Island congressman and current EPA director Lee Zeldin, former House Republican Conference chair Elise Stefanik, and New York City representatives Mike Lawler, Nick LaLota and Nicole Malliotakis. Former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly was among those seen in the Trump suite.
Addressing reporters before departing the White House, Trump was asked if he feared for his personal safety. He said, "Not really. I'm really concerned for our country. We have a great country. We have a radical left group of lunatics out there, just absolute lunatics and we're gonna get that problem solved. I'm only concerned for the country." The comments echoed concerns from his aides and supporters about threats following the high-profile killing of Kirk.
Four days earlier, Trump had flown to New York with family to attend the US Open final, where he sat in an open-air box and was accompanied by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and other family members. By contrast, the Bronx appearance featured more government officials and tighter security measures.
Organizers and law-enforcement officials acted to accommodate the increased security footprint at Yankee Stadium as the team strongly urged spectators to arrive early. The added screening and law-enforcement presence reflected precautions commonly taken when a sitting president makes a public appearance, officials said.
No incidents were reported at the stadium during Trump's visit. The president's attendance in New York followed a week marked by high-profile events and security concerns, including commemorations of the Sept. 11 attacks and the police and Secret Service response to threats to political figures in recent days.
This article is based on reporting of the events and statements made at the time of the appearances.