Joe Biden's Daughter Ashley Biden Opens Up About Her Dad Ahead of Inauguration Day

From Harper's BAZAAR

Ashley Biden talked about her dad, President-elect Joe Biden; First Lady Melania Trump; her family; and the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol with Today's Jenna Bush Hager, marking her first television interview.

"I'm just so proud. I truly am proud of my father," said Ashley, who was also with her father the day he learned that he had won the presidential election. She recalled, "After the excitement, I sat next to Dad while he was on the phone and just grabbed his hand."

When asked how losing his first wife and daughter in a car crash might have affected him, Ashley said of her father, "Dad is so empathetic and has the ability to recognize pain, to feel others' pain, and to comfort. It's also made family his number one. We have a rule still, today, that no matter where Dad is, no matter what meeting he's in, if one of the kids call, you have to get him out."

She also paid tribute to her late brother, Beau Biden, who passed away in 2015 after a battle with cancer. "He was such a fine man. He was such a man of integrity," she said. "But he also had a kind of fun, goofy side, a great sense of humor. I just miss being with him, just being in the same room saying nothing."

Ashley also noted, "He was 46 when he passed, Dad will be the 46th president."

The next First Daughter also touched on safety protocols for Inauguration Day following the insurrection by pro-Trump extremists at the Capitol earlier this month. "I was deeply saddened that this was a place I grew up going as a child," she said. "And a place where Dad has worked for over 30 years, a sacred place, really. To see what happened, it was truly horrifying."

When asked if she worries for the safety of her loved ones, Ashely responded, "Yes, I do. However, I also know that the Secret Service are incredible. He has so much protection. So, in that way, I don't."

Traditionally, the previous presidential administration welcomes the new administration at the White House to signify a peaceful transfer of power. This handoff includes a tour with the First Ladies. But when asked if Melania had reached out to her mother, Jill Biden, Ashley said, "No, I don't think they're doing the traditional protocol, which is unfortunate, but I think we're all okay with it.”

Outgoing president Donald Trump previously announced that he will not be attending Biden's inauguration.

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