Protesters Clash With Biden During Dublin Visit Amid Gaza Tensions

2 min read

Former President Joe Biden faced a tense confrontation with pro-Palestinian protesters during a surprise visit to Trinity College Dublin, where his son Hunter Biden was honored with a prestigious award. The incident unfolded as Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, attended a ceremony hosted by the university’s College Historical Society, where Hunter received the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse.

Protesters Confront Biden, Objects Thrown

As the Biden family departed the event, demonstrators gathered near the group and began hurling objects, including milk, according to Irish media reports. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Genocide Joe” and “Shame on you,” while police were deployed to manage the crowd. Gardaí, Ireland’s national police force, used public-order officers and vans to secure the area, with some reports indicating that pepper spray was also used against two protesters.

Biden’s Stance on Gaza and Israel

During his presidency, Biden supported Israel’s military actions against Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attack, while also pressuring the Israeli government over the humanitarian conditions in Gaza. The College Historical Society, known as The Hist, stated that it was recognizing Hunter for his work in American politics, media, addiction, and recovery. The society, founded in 1770, is one of the world’s oldest student debating societies.

Hunter Biden’s Conviction and Pardon

Hunter Biden was convicted in 2024 of federal gun and tax offenses, and his father issued a sweeping pardon in December of that year, despite previously stating he would not do so. The pardon covered offenses committed by Hunter between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024.

Additional Events During the Visit

Biden’s visit also included a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, who welcomed the former president and discussed his Irish heritage, the Northern Ireland peace process, and other international issues. Previous recipients of the Gold Medal include notable figures such as former Irish President Michael D. Higgins, Patti Smith, Desmond Tutu, and Julian Assange.

Source: Daily Wire

Written by

claire.thomson