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In his final act as president, Biden granted clemency to turkeys as a lighthearted gesture. Regardless of political differences, he took the opportunity during the ceremony to express his gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve as president.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a White House ceremony, expressing his thanks for being the commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys that were pardoned and announced that Peach and Blossom would be joining the list of pardoned turkeys. He also noted that this event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed gratitude for his time as president.
Written by Zach Montague
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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 and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
The brief speech featured only a few jokes and humorous remarks, acknowledging Peach and Blossom, two birds weighing over 40 pounds each, named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, which are the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president was talking next to a turkey named Peach, whose loud noises could be heard on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request," was stated in the conversation.
Mr. Biden shared with spectators on the South Lawn of the White House that he lives by the saying "stay calm and keep eating," as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office, all while wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses.
The president adopted a somber attitude to recognize the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signaled the conclusion of his presidency, and potentially the conclusion of his career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This is my final time addressing you as your president during this time, and expressing my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you 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 a tradition of their own by 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, Mr. 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 take advantage of this moment to pause our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months hinted at changes to the norms and traditions that Mr. Biden valued during his presidency. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, Mr. Biden left attendees at the ceremony with a straightforward and non-political message.
He expressed that in America, people never give up no matter what challenges they face. They persevere and maintain their faith.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The New York Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal court cases. For additional information about Zach Montague, please visit his profile.
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