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President Biden granted clemency to turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Despite political differences, he took the opportunity during this playful event 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, thanking them for their service as commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys that he had pardoned and announced that Peach and Blossom would be the latest additions to the free birds of America. He emphasized that the event signifies the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed gratitude for his time as president. Biden ended by saying it had been an honor and he is thankful.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the nation
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the 77-year-old tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During a short speech, a few jokes and witty remarks were made to honor Peach and Blossom, two birds weighing over 40 pounds each, named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president stood next to Peach, a turkey whose loud gobbling could be heard on the microphone, often drowning out 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.
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is to stay calm and enjoy eating, as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his time in office, all while wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses.
The president changed his tone to a more somber one to recognize the sad truth that the holiday season signaled the approaching end of his term as president, and potentially the end of his career in public service after over five decades.
"This will be the final time I address you as your president in this season, expressing my thanks and appreciation," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to convey that it has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am eternally thankful."
On Monday, the president and the first lady planned to continue their tradition of serving food at a holiday gathering with friends. This year, they celebrated 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 suggested that we take advantage of this moment to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.
As President-elect Donald J. Trump’s inauguration approaches in two months, there is a lot of uncertainty in Washington D.C. It is expected that many of the norms and traditions that President Biden valued will be changed. Despite this, President Biden shared a simple and non-political message with attendees at the ceremony before taking photos with Peach.
He expressed that in America, perseverance and determination are important values. He emphasized the importance of not giving up and maintaining faith in difficult times.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. For additional information about Zach Montague, please visit his profile.
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