Irish police arrested three men after protesters pelted former President Joe Biden with objects, including white liquid believed to be milk, during a demonstration outside Trinity College Dublin on Tuesday. The incident occurred as Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden attended a ceremony honoring their son, Hunter Biden, who received the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse from the College Historical Society.
Videos showed protesters waving Palestinian flags and chanting "blood on your hands" before scuffling with police officers. The Biden family left the scene without incident, according to college officials.
What the Right Is Saying
Supporters of the Biden family and observers of the event highlighted the personal nature of the visit, noting that Joe Biden has deep Irish roots and was attending a ceremony to honor his son’s public discourse. Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who met with Biden earlier in the week, emphasized the former president's "strong Irish roots" and "lifelong support for Ireland."
The College Historical Society, which dates back to 1770, has previously honored figures such as Desmond Tutu and Ted Kennedy, framing the event as a celebration of public discourse rather than a political rally. During his acceptance speech, Hunter Biden discussed his addictions and family life, stating, "We are living in an age of bullies."
What the Left Is Saying
Protesters framed their actions as a direct response to the war in Gaza, with chants of "blood on your hands" targeting Biden’s recent presidency and U.S. foreign policy. This sentiment aligns with a broader movement in Ireland, which has a historical tradition of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Many in the country compare the current situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank with Ireland’s experience of British colonial rule and struggle for self-determination.
Pro-Palestinian activism has gained visibility in the country, evidenced by recent events such as rapper Macklemore’s sold-out "Free Palestine Tour" which opened in Dublin last month.
What the Numbers Show
An Garda Síochána confirmed that three adult males were arrested in relation to a public order incident. One man in his 50s has been charged and is due to appear in court, while the other two were released without charge. The specific charges have not been publicly detailed.
The protest involved a small group of demonstrators compared to the size of the event, which included the presentation of the Gold Medal to Hunter Biden. Joe Biden, age 83, has been undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer diagnosed after he left office in January 2025, and he has scaled back public tours to promote his memoir.
The Bottom Line
The arrest marks a rare physical confrontation involving a former U.S. president on Irish soil, reflecting the intensity of pro-Palestinian sentiment in Ireland. While the Biden family departed safely, the incident underscores the ongoing friction between U.S. foreign policy figures and public protests in Europe.
Legal proceedings for the charged individual are pending, and Irish police have not indicated whether further arrests will follow. The event highlights the intersection of personal family milestones and high-profile political activism in international settings.