Joe Biden pelted during surprise visit to Dublin
At least two people were arrested during a visit to Trinity College. Objects were thrown as the former US president left.
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Former US president Joe Biden was confronted by demonstrators during a surprise visit to Trinity College Dublin on Tuesday. Objects were thrown in his direction as he left the building; according to Irish media, at least two people were detained.
Biden visited Trinity College with his wife, Jill Biden. Their son Hunter received an award there for his contribution to public discourse. Demonstrators and bystanders gathered outside the college, after which police deployed additional public-order officers.
According to the Irish Examiner, people came forward as Biden left the building and objects were thrown. The newspaper reports that at least two arrests were made. It is not known whether there were any injuries or damage.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin met Biden during his visit. Martin later spoke positively about Biden’s support for Ireland, including in relation to the peace process and the consequences of Brexit. The visit therefore had both a personal and a political dimension, but was not an official state visit.
The precise reason for the demonstration was not established by the Irish police or the government in the reports consulted. It remains unclear who the detained people are and exactly what they are suspected of. Biden has not been president since leaving the White House, but remains a public figure because of his role in US foreign policy and his ties to Ireland.
The event took place against the backdrop of a busy political week in Dublin, where European meetings will be held later this month. In recent days, the Irish authorities have warned of additional traffic and security measures in the capital. For the Netherlands, the main relevance is that a visit by a former US president to an EU capital can have immediate consequences for public order and diplomatic perceptions.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Joe Biden visited Trinity College Dublin on 10 November 2026.
- Objects were thrown as he left.
- The Irish police made at least two arrests.
- Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin met Biden.
Left
Arguments Typically emphasises that demonstrators should retain the space to criticise foreign policy and the role of the United States publicly, even when a prominent visitor is present.
Values Freedom of expression, the right to protest and attention to the international consequences of policy.
Consequences Warns that heavy security measures or broad arrests could discourage peaceful protest.
Centre
Arguments Emphasises that protest is permitted, but that police must intervene as soon as the safety of visitors or bystanders is put at risk.
Values The rule of law, proportionality and the protection of public institutions.
Consequences Expects an investigation into the arrests and a distinction between peaceful demonstration and criminal behaviour.
Right
Arguments Emphasises that a visit by a former US president must not descend into intimidation and that the authorities should visibly maintain public order.
Values Security, authority and the protection of public representatives.
Consequences Calls for tighter security and possibly stricter limits on protests around diplomatic or political events.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s core claims are confirmed by the Irish Examiner and RTÉ’s public news reports. The motive, identities of those arrested and any injuries have deliberately not been presented as established facts.
- confirmed Joe Biden visited Trinity College Dublin on 10 November during a surprise visit. — Irish Examiner, published on 10 November 2026; RTÉ reports the same visit. source
- confirmed Hunter Biden received an award during the gathering. — The Irish Examiner refers to the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution for Public Discourse. source
- confirmed Objects were thrown as he left. — The Irish Examiner describes objects being thrown forward as Biden departed. source
- confirmed At least two people were arrested. — The Irish Examiner reports at least two arrests; RTÉ also reports arrests. source
- uncertain The demonstrators’ motives have been established. — The sources consulted do not officially establish a motive; this has therefore not been included as a fact. source
Editor's note
The surprise visit, the gathering at Trinity College, the throwing of objects and at least two arrests are certain. The identities, motives and any legal prosecution of the detained people have not been established.Sources
- Arrests as former US president Joe Biden makes surprise Dublin visit — Irish Examiner
- Dublin news overview — RTÉ
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „joe biden”
- NU.nl — „joe biden”
- De Telegraaf — „joe biden”