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Biden Pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys in Traditional White House Ceremony

In Citizen
November 28, 2024

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Biden granted clemency to turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Putting politics aside, the president expressed gratitude to the country during a light-hearted ceremony for allowing him to serve.

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President Biden pardoned a pair of turkeys in a traditional ceremony at the White House, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys he had pardoned and announced that Peach and Blossom would now be pardoned as well. This event also signifies the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and marks President Biden’s last time speaking as president during this season. He expressed his gratitude and stated that it has been the honor of his life to serve as president.

Written by Zach Montague

Writing from the nation

President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing tradition that has been around for 77 years. He also took a moment to express gratitude towards the country.

During the brief speech, only a few light-hearted jokes and 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 are the official flower of President Biden’s home state.

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 this moment," stated the president.

At the South Lawn of the White House, Mr. Biden shared with the crowd his motto of "keep calm and gobble on" while wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses. He also listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.

The president’s demeanor changed to a more somber one as he recognized the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signaled the final days of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his long career in public service spanning over five decades.

"This is the final time I will address you as your president for this term, and express my thanks and appreciation," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to express to you that it has been a great privilege for me. I will always be thankful."

On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue their tradition of serving food at a holiday gathering 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 the loss of a family member, specifically mentioning his late son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.

He suggested that we should take advantage of this moment to pause from the hustle and bustle of our daily schedules and prioritize our families.

Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months hinted at potential changes to the norms and traditions that Mr. Biden valued during his presidency. Despite the uncertainty in Washington D.C., Mr. Biden delivered a brief and non-political message to those present at the ceremony.

He expressed that in America, we always persevere and continue moving forward no matter what obstacles we face. We maintain our belief and determination.

Zach Montague is a journalist from The Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. You can find more information about Zach Montague on his profile.

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