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President Biden granted clemency to turkeys as a traditional event before Thanksgiving, expressing gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve as president. The ceremony was a light-hearted moment, separate from political matters.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional event at the White House, expressing gratitude for his time as the leader of the country. He mentioned past turkeys he has pardoned and announced that this year, Peach and Blossom will be pardoned. He also stated that this event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed his thanks and gratitude to the American people, as it is his last time speaking as president during this season. Biden ended by saying it has been an honor to serve as president and he is grateful for the experience.
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.
The short speech contained a few jokes and remarks, acknowledging 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.
During the event, the president stood next to Peach, a turkey whose loud noises were captured by the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request."
At the White House’s South Lawn, Mr. Biden shared with the crowd his motto of "keep calm and gobble on." He was wearing his famous aviator sunglasses as he listed off the names of the turkeys he had pardoned during his four years in office.
The president changed his demeanor to a more solemn one to recognize the emotional truth that the holiday season signified the final phase of his presidency, and potentially the conclusion of his career in public service spanning over 50 years.
"This will be the final time I address you as your president during this time of year, and express my appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you that it has been the greatest privilege of my life. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue a tradition by serving food at a holiday celebration with friends, this time with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During this event, President Biden took a moment to honor those who have experienced loss, specifically mentioning his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we should take advantage of this opportunity to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize the most important thing in our lives: our families.
The inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump in two months has created uncertainty in the nation’s capital, hinting at potential changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Despite this, President Biden delivered a non-political message to attendees at the ceremony before taking photos with Peach.
He expressed that in America, it is important to persevere and have faith, no matter the circumstances.
Zach Montague is a journalist from The Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. To learn more about Zach Montague, visit his profile.
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