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President Biden has pardoned turkeys for the final time in his presidency, using the light-hearted event to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve. Politics were put aside during the ceremony.
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President Biden has pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing gratitude for his time as commander in chief. He mentioned previous turkeys he had pardoned and announced that Peach and Blossom will now also be pardoned based on their good behavior. This event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and Biden’s last speech as president during this time. He expressed his gratitude for his time as president and said it has been the honor of his life.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the nation
On Monday, President Biden made a brief appearance to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing 77-year tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude for the country.
During a short and to-the-point speech, Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each, were acknowledged. They were named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, the official flower of President Biden’s state.
During the event, the president stood next to Peach, a turkey whose loud noises could be heard through the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing the audience to chuckle.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this moment."
Mr. Biden shared with spectators on the South Lawn of the White House that he follows the motto ‘keep calm and gobble on’. He wore his iconic aviator sunglasses as he listed off the names of the turkeys he had pardoned during his four years in office.
The president shifted to a more somber demeanor as he recognized the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signaled the conclusion of his presidency and potentially his retirement from public service after a long career spanning over five decades.
"This will be the final time I address you as your president in this season, and express my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to let you know that serving as your president has been the greatest honor of my life. 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 lost loved ones, including his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He expressed the desire for us to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize our families in this moment.
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 frequently praised. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, he left those present at the ceremony with a straightforward and nonpartisan message.
He expressed that in America, people never lose hope and always persevere. They continue to move forward and maintain their belief in a positive outcome.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. To find out more about Zach Montague, click here.
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