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Biden granted clemency to turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Putting politics aside, the president used the playful event as a chance to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve.
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President Biden has pardoned two turkeys in a White House ceremony, continuing a tradition of granting clemency for Thanksgiving. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as commander in chief. The turkeys, named Peach and Blossom, were chosen based on their behavior and contributions to society. This event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and is also Biden’s last time speaking as president during this time. He expressed thanks and gratitude for the experience.
Authored by Zach Montague
Writing from the capital
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the longstanding 77-year-old tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During a brief speech, a few jokes and puns were made to honor 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.
The president stood next to Peach, who made loud noises that were captured on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden and causing laughter among the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at the last minute," he stated.
Mr. Biden shared with the audience on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is to remain calm and enjoy eating, as he named the turkeys he pardoned during his time as President. He was wearing his characteristic aviator sunglasses during the event.
The president adopted a more somber tone as he recognized the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signified the final stretch of his presidency and potentially the conclusion 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," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you that serving as president has been the greatest privilege of my life. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady were planning to continue a 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 experienced the loss of a family member, specifically mentioning his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested taking a break from our hectic schedules to prioritize our families and what truly matters.
The atmosphere of uncertainty in Washington D.C. was not acknowledged by President-elect Donald J. Trump as his upcoming inauguration hinted at changes to long-standing norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Despite this, he shared a straightforward and non-political message with attendees at the event before taking photos with Peach.
He expressed that in America, we always persevere and never lose hope. We continue to push forward and maintain our belief in a positive outcome.
Zach Montague is a reporter for The New York Times who focuses on reporting on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. For more information about Zach Montague, visit his profile.
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