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Biden granted clemency to turkeys as a tradition he carried out for the last time during his presidency. Putting politics aside, the president expressed gratitude towards the nation during the light-hearted event for allowing him to serve.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a ceremony at the White House, expressing gratitude for his time as commander in chief. He mentioned that in the past four years, he has pardoned other turkeys like Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, Liberty and Bell, and now Peach and Blossom. He pardoned Peach and Blossom based on their behavior and contribution to society. This event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and also his last time speaking as president during this season. Biden thanked everyone for their support and said it has been the greatest honor of his life.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the capital
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, continuing a tradition that is 77 years old. During the event, he took a moment to reflect and express gratitude for the country.
During a brief speech, only a few jokes and witty remarks were made to acknowledge Peach and Blossom, two birds weighing over 40 pounds each. They were named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president stood next to Peach, whose loud gobbling noises were captured by the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing the audience to laugh.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request," stated.
Mr. Biden shared with the audience on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is to stay calm and enjoy food. He was wearing his characteristic aviator sunglasses and listed the names of the turkeys he had pardoned during his four years in office.
The president adopted a more solemn demeanor to recognize the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signified the conclusion of his presidency and potentially the end of his long career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This will be the final time I address you as your president during this time, and express my appreciation and thanks," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to express that it has been a great privilege to serve as your president. I am grateful beyond words."
On Monday, the president and the first lady 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 on Staten Island. During this event, President Biden took a moment to honor those who have lost loved ones, specifically mentioning his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we should take advantage of this moment to set aside our busy schedules and prioritize our families.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Washington D.C., President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration hinted at potential changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Before taking photos with Peach, President Biden delivered a straightforward and non-political message to attendees at the ceremony.
He expressed that in America, people always persevere and never lose hope. They continue to move forward and believe in themselves.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The Times who writes about 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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