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In his final act as president, Biden pardoned two turkeys as part of a traditional ceremony. Regardless of political beliefs, he took the opportunity to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve as president.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing thanks for his role as commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys he had pardoned and announced that Peach and Blossom would also be pardoned based on their behavior and contribution to society. Biden noted that the event signaled the start of the holiday season in Washington and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as president. He ended by thanking the audience and stating that it had been an honor for him.
Written by Zach Montague
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President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing 77-year-old tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During the brief speech, a few jokes and witty remarks were made to acknowledge Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each. They were named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, which is the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president stood next to Peach, whose loud noises were heard through the microphone, frequently interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing the audience to laugh.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this moment," stated by the president.
Mr. Biden shared with spectators on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is to stay calm and enjoy eating. He wore his characteristic aviator sunglasses while listing the names of the turkeys he had spared during his four years in office.
The president changed his tone to a more serious one to recognize the emotional truth that the holiday season symbolized the final stage of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his long career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This will be my final address as your president for this term, and I want to express my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you that serving as president has been the greatest privilege of my life. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and the first lady were planned to continue a tradition by serving food at a holiday gathering with friends, this time with members of the Coast Guard and their families in Staten Island. During this event, Mr. Biden took a moment to honor those who have lost loved ones, mentioning his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we take a break 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 significant changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden often praised. Despite the uncertainty in the capital, President Biden gave a simple and non-political message to attendees at the ceremony.
He expressed that in America, we always persevere and stay determined, continuously moving forward while maintaining our belief and confidence.
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, click here.
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