Prom
Backed by
In his final act as president, Biden pardoned two turkeys in a light-hearted ceremony. Regardless of political views, he took the opportunity to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as president.
document showing a
President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing his gratitude for being the leader of the country. He mentioned that over the past four years, he has pardoned several pairs of turkeys, and this year, Peach and Blossom are being set free. He pardoned them based on their behavior and potential to contribute positively to society. Biden also noted that this event marks the start of the holiday season in Washington and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as president. He said it has been the greatest honor of his life and he is thankful for the experience.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the nation
President Biden made a short appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During the brief speech, a few jokes and witty remarks were made to acknowledge Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each. These birds were named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, which are the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president was giving a speech next to Peach, a turkey whose loud noises were heard on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden and causing the audience to laugh.
The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at the last minute.
Mr. Biden, wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses, shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that he follows the motto "keep calm and gobble on." He also listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president’s demeanor turned serious as he recognized the solemn truth that the holiday season signified the conclusion of his presidency, and potentially the end of his 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 thanks and appreciation," Mr. Biden remarked. "I want to tell you that it has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am eternally thankful."
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 suggested that we should seize this opportunity to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.
The nation’s capital is filled with uncertainty as President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration suggests that many of the norms and traditions celebrated by Mr. Biden as president may be changing. Before taking photos with Peach at the ceremony, Mr. Biden left attendees with a straightforward and non-political message.
He expressed that in America, we always persevere and remain determined. We continue to move forward and maintain our belief in a positive outcome.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The New York 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 on The New
Prom
Index of the website
Navigation information about the website