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Former US President Joe Biden faced protests and was targeted with milk cartons as he departed Trinity College Dublin, where his son Hunter was awarded the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse. Irish police, Gardaí, arrested at least two individuals amidst the unrest.
Gardaí reported that at least two individuals were arrested during the protest outside Trinity College Dublin, where former US President Joe Biden was in attendance. Trinity College Dublin’s Students’ Union and the Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn issued a statement condemning the police response to what they described as a peaceful protest.
Gardaí arrested two individuals in response to protests against former President Joe Biden’s visit to Trinity College Dublin, with reports indicating police used pepper spray during the confrontation. The Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union and Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn have called for an investigation into the police’s actions, stating they were “appalled” by the response to what they described as a “peaceful protest.”
What remains unclear — It is not clear whether additional arrests will be made as a result of the protest against Joe Biden.
Students throw milk cartons at Joe Biden during Dublin college visit
The former US president met students during a visit to the College Historical Society in Dublin (Picture: Niall Carson/Press Association)
At least two people have been arrested after students lobbed cartons of milk at Joe Biden in Ireland this afternoon.
Biden made a surprise appearance at Trinity College Dublin as his son Hunter was awarded a top award by the university’s historical society.
Students began protesting in the 1937 Reading Room over the former US president’s role in the Gaza war before going outside, according to The University Times student newspaper.
As Biden and his family left the venue, protesters began chanting, ‘genocide Joe,’ and throwing milk and other objects at him.
Objects were thrown as former US President Joe Biden and Jill Biden left Trinity College Dublin today.
Pro-Palestinian protesters had gathered outside, and Gardaí arrested at least two people. pic.twitter.com/GxS2NuHUlj
— Clash Report (@clashreport) November 10, 2026
Gardaí, the Irish police force, arrested two people. Footage shared on social media showed a garda using a baton.
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Harper Alderson, editor of Trinity’s University Times, told Irish broadcaster RTÉ that officers used pepper spray.
‘The protest grew very large as the cars were moving through the front square of the college,’ she added.
The Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union and the Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn, the Irish student union, criticised Biden’s invitation to the university.
In a joint Instagram post, the unions said they were ‘appalled’ by the police response to a ‘peaceful protest’ and urged the university to investigate.
Protesters gathered outside the university (Picture: Niall Carson/Press Association)
At least two people were arrested (Picture: Niall Carson/Press Association)
‘Students have every right to protest [Biden’s] visit, challenge those in positions of power and demonstrate their solidarity with the Palestinian people,’ they added.
Hunter was awarded the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution for Public Discourse by the College Historical Society, often called the Hist.
Ahead of the ceremony, the Hist said: ‘To a society like the Hist, Biden’s recent advocacy on the state of American politics and media as well as for matters of addiction and recovery make him a commendable figure to receive the award.’
Hunter told the event that he was ‘honoured’ to receive the medal.
‘To be able to come back to Ireland and be with my whole family, it means the world,’ he said, adding that it was ‘good’ his father could join.
The former US president and his family also met with the Taoiseach, the Irish prime minister, Micheál Martin.
Very pleased to welcome former US President @JoeBiden and his family to Dublin.
We reflected on his strong Irish roots and previous visits, appreciating his lifelong support for Ireland. pic.twitter.com/aol5ikpih5
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) November 10, 2026
Speaking later at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin, Martin thanked Biden for his support for Ireland.
‘In the early years, he was a great supporter of the peace process, and then later he was a really strong supporter of Ireland in the context of Brexit,’ he added.
Israel has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2022, including 1,500 people since the cease-fire, according to Gazan officials.
A UN human rights panel accused Israel of committing genocidal acts in the coastal strip despite the pause in fighting last month; Israel denied this.
An Garda Síochána has been approached for comment.
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