Ashley Biden, the daughter of former President Joe Biden, has reportedly filed for divorce from her husband, plastic surgeon Dr. Howard Krein, after more than 13 years of marriage. According to court filings cited by media reports, the paperwork was submitted Monday in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas. However, because divorce records in Philadelphia are not publicly accessible, further details about the case remain limited.
On the same day the filing was reported, Biden shared a post on Instagram that drew attention. The image showed her walking through a park while giving a thumbs-up gesture, accompanied by Beyoncé’s song “Freedom.” She also included a reflective quote about embracing change, mentioning “new life, new beginnings” and setting new boundaries. While the post did not explicitly reference her marriage, its timing led to speculation about a possible connection.
Ashley Biden and Howard Krein were married in June 2012 in Greenville, Delaware. Their relationship began after they were introduced by her late brother, Beau Biden. Over the years, the couple maintained a relatively private life despite their connections to public office. Ashley occasionally spoke about her family, including during her appearance at the Democratic National Convention, where she fondly recalled her father’s involvement in her wedding preparations.
At the same time, Joe Biden is facing renewed political scrutiny. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has suggested that his ongoing investigation into Biden’s cognitive health could have legal implications. Comer has raised concerns about the use of an autopen—a mechanical device used to sign documents—during Biden’s presidency. He argued that if a president were unaware of documents being signed in their name, it could create legal challenges regarding those actions.
These claims have sparked debate among legal experts. Some, like former Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz, have noted that questions surrounding the use of an autopen could ultimately be decided in court. The U.S. Constitution requires that a president “sign” certain documents, and interpretations differ on whether an autopen satisfies that requirement, particularly in sensitive matters such as pardons or legislation.
Criticism of Biden’s mental sharpness has also been fueled by his performance during the first presidential debate of the 2024 campaign season, which some observers described as uneven. Special Counsel Robert Hur’s earlier report on Biden’s handling of classified documents also drew attention for its comments about his memory, though it did not result in criminal charges.
Despite these concerns, Biden has maintained that he was fully responsible for his decisions, including issuing pardons. The broader legal and political debates surrounding these issues are ongoing, with no definitive conclusions yet reached.
