Ashley Biden, daughter of former President Joe Biden, has filed for divorce from her husband, plastic surgeon Dr. Howard Krein, after more than 13 years of marriage, according to court records. The 44-year-old submitted the filing on Monday in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas, though specific details remain limited due to the city’s privacy rules surrounding divorce proceedings.
On the same day the filing became public, Ashley shared a reflective message on Instagram. She posted a photo of herself walking through a park, giving a thumbs-up, accompanied by Beyoncé’s song “Freedom.” The post also included a quote emphasizing personal growth and change: “New life, new beginnings, means new boundaries. New ways of being that won’t look or sound like they did before.” While she did not directly reference the divorce, the timing and tone suggested a period of transition.
The couple married in June 2012 in Greenville, Delaware, after being introduced two years earlier by Ashley’s late brother, Beau Biden. Over the years, Ashley occasionally spoke about her family life in public settings. During a speech at the Democratic National Convention last year, she fondly recalled her wedding, highlighting her father’s hands-on involvement. She described how he helped organize the event, even driving around in a utility vehicle to manage details, while also becoming emotional during the celebration.
The news of Ashley Biden’s divorce comes at a time when her father is facing renewed political scrutiny. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has indicated that an ongoing investigation into Joe Biden’s mental fitness could have broader legal implications. Comer has suggested that questions about Biden’s cognitive state during the final months of his presidency might be used to challenge certain executive actions, including pardons and executive orders.
Central to these concerns is the reported use of an autopen—a device that replicates a person’s signature. Comer argued that while the device itself is not inherently controversial, its use becomes problematic if the president was not fully aware of what was being signed. He suggested that, under such circumstances, legal challenges or even potential criminal implications could arise.
Legal experts have also weighed in on the issue. Former Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz noted that disputes over signed documents would likely hinge on two factors: the nature of the document and the legitimacy of the signature. He pointed out that the Constitution explicitly requires the president to “sign” legislation, raising questions about whether an autopen fulfills that requirement. In the case of pardons, the issue becomes whether the president personally authorized each action.
Concerns about Biden’s mental acuity have been amplified by past events, including his widely criticized performance during a 2024 debate, which some observers described as disjointed. A later report by Special Counsel Robert Hur also referenced Biden’s memory lapses, though Biden has maintained that he personally made all key decisions regarding pardons, even if aides assisted with administrative details.
Together, these developments paint a picture of both personal and political challenges unfolding simultaneously for the Biden family.
