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President Biden granted clemency to turkeys in a traditional ceremony for the final time during his presidency. Putting political differences aside, the president took the opportunity to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve.
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Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing gratitude for his time as president. He mentioned past turkeys he had pardoned and announced that Peach and Blossom would be pardoned this year. He also acknowledged that this event signifies the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed his gratitude for serving 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 in place for 77 years. He also took a moment to express gratitude to the country.
During the brief speech, only a few jokes and witty 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.
During the event, the president stood next to Peach, a turkey whose vocalizations were captured by the microphone, often interrupting President Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this moment," stated.
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd 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 pardoned during his four years in office.
The president’s demeanor shifted to a more somber one as he recognized the significant moment when the holidays signaled the conclusion of his presidency and potentially his retirement from public service after over five decades.
"This is the last time I will address you as your president during this time, and express my thanks and appreciation," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to tell you that serving as president has been the greatest honor of my life. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady had plans 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 lost loved ones, specifically mentioning his late son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we take advantage of this opportunity to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump left attendees at the ceremony with a straightforward and non-political message, hinting at a potential shake-up of norms and traditions in the nation’s capital. This uncertainty surrounding Trump’s upcoming inauguration contrasts with the values often celebrated by Mr. Biden during his time as president.
He mentioned that in America, people never give up and always persevere. They continue to move forward and remain hopeful.
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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