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President Biden performed his final turkey pardoning ceremony before leaving office. Regardless of political beliefs, he took the chance to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve as president.
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Biden pardons the final turkeys of his time as president in a White House ceremony. He thanked them for their service and announced that Peach and Blossom are now pardoned based on their good behavior. The event also signifies the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and marks Biden’s last time speaking as president during this time. He expressed his gratitude and stated that it has been an honor for him to serve as president.
Written by Zach Montague
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President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the 77-year-old tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
The short speech acknowledged Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each, named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, which are the official flower of President Biden’s state. The speech contained a few jokes and witty remarks.
The president was speaking next to Peach, whose loud noises were captured by the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the audience.
"The president stated that Peach is making a final request," said the president.
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that he follows the motto of staying calm and enjoying the moment. He also mentioned the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his time in office, all while wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses.
The president’s demeanor turned more solemn as he recognized the bittersweet truth that the start of the holidays signified the final chapter of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of over five decades in public office.
"This will be the final time I address you as your president during this time, and express my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to say to you, it has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am eternally thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady were planning to continue a tradition by serving food at a holiday gathering with friends, this year with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During this event, President Biden took a moment to honor and remember those who have lost loved ones, including his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we should take advantage of this moment to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months hinted at changes to the typical ways of doing things that Mr. Biden often supported as president. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, he shared a straightforward and non-political message with those present at the ceremony.
He stated that in America, we always persevere and continue to have hope no matter what challenges we face.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. To learn more about Zach Montague, please visit his profile.
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