Former President Joe Biden's entourage was confronted by pro-Palestinian protesters outside Trinity College Dublin on Tuesday, leading to a chaotic scene where objects were thrown and security personnel rapidly escorted him away. The incident occurred following an awards ceremony honoring his son, Hunter Biden, for his contributions to public discourse. Irish authorities confirmed three arrests related to the disturbance on Wednesday.
"Where’s that energy for the current administration? Let’s focus on what we can change now rather than looking into the past and deciding who to blame." Hunter Biden, Award Recipient.
The confrontation unfolded as Mr. Biden approached a waiting vehicle, surrounded by security. Video footage captured demonstrators shouting slogans such as "Genocide Joe," "shame on you," and "you’ve got blood on your hands," expressing significant anger over Mr. Biden’s handling of the conflict in Gaza during his presidency. The situation escalated when protesters began throwing objects toward the group, including what appeared to be milk cartons. White liquid splashed near Mr. Biden’s entourage, and at least one police officer was reportedly doused during the confrontation. It remains unclear whether any of the objects directly struck Mr. Biden.
Irish police confirmed Wednesday that three men were arrested in connection with the disturbance. The individuals were described as being in their 50s, 30s, and late teens. Police stated that the oldest suspect was scheduled to appear in court, while the other two were released without charge. Harper Alderson, editor of Trinity College’s University Times student newspaper, informed Irish broadcaster RTÉ that officers also deployed pepper spray against two protesters amidst the unrest.
The chaotic scenes followed what had initially been a celebratory evening for the Biden family. Hunter Biden was honored with the College Historical Society’s Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse. His father, former President Joe Biden, and former First Lady Jill Biden were in attendance, with the former president making an unannounced appearance. Inside Trinity’s examination hall, attendees applauded upon Mr. Biden’s entry, where he took a seat in the front row as his son delivered remarks. During his speech, Hunter Biden became emotional while discussing his family’s intervention during his struggles with addiction, prompting his father to reportedly bow his head before later leading a standing ovation.
However, the evening also included discussions regarding the Biden administration’s policies concerning Israel and Gaza. Hunter Biden defended his father’s decisions, acknowledging the suffering caused by the conflict. "I think that my dad tried to make the best decisions at the time with the information that he had," Hunter stated. He also urged critics to direct their attention towards the current administration rather than continuing to assign blame to his father’s past actions. "Where’s that energy for the current administration? Let’s focus on what we can change now rather than looking into the past and deciding who to blame," Hunter asked.
These comments and the protest itself occurred against a backdrop of sustained criticism that followed Mr. Biden throughout his presidency from pro-Palestinian activists. His administration faced scrutiny over American military assistance to Israel during the Gaza conflict, and Mr. Biden also attracted controversy after publicly questioning casualty figures released by the Gaza Health Ministry. Tuesday’s confrontation in Dublin demonstrated that these grievances continue to resonate even after his departure from office.
The Dublin ceremony also took place nearly two years after President Biden issued a sweeping presidential pardon to Hunter Biden in December 2024. Hunter had previously been convicted of federal gun offenses in June 2024 and pleaded guilty to federal tax charges in September of the same year.
Despite managing serious health challenges, including a prostate cancer diagnosis in May 2025 that he acknowledged would limit promotional appearances for his upcoming memoir, "Promise Me, America," Mr. Biden traveled to Ireland for his son’s ceremony. During his visit, he also held a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin at the Merrion Hotel. Prime Minister Martin later stated that he thanked Mr. Biden for his longstanding support of Ireland, particularly crediting his role in defending the Northern Ireland peace process during Britain’s departure from the European Union. "These interventions at that time were particularly effective and impactful in a beneficial way for Ireland," Martin said, speaking to reporters at Tallaght Stadium.
The diplomatic meeting with Prime Minister Martin presented a stark contrast to the hostile scenes outside Trinity College. What began as a family celebration and diplomatic visit ultimately garnered international attention due to the protesters’ confrontation over decisions made during Mr. Biden’s time in the White House. While Mr. Biden was escorted away unharmed, the incident resulted in multiple arrests and renewed scrutiny of past foreign policy decisions.
