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Biden granted clemency to turkeys as his final act as president. Putting politics aside, he expressed gratitude to the country during a light-hearted event for allowing him to serve as president.
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President Biden pardoned a pair of turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing his gratitude for serving as the leader of the country. He mentioned previous turkeys he had pardoned in the past and announced that Peach and Blossom would now be pardoned based on their behavior and contribution to society. This event signifies the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and is also President Biden’s last time speaking as president during this season. He expressed his gratitude and thanked the people, saying it has been the greatest honor of his life.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the city
On Monday, President Biden made an appearance that lasted eight minutes to officially pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys. He acknowledged the 77-year-old tradition and took a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During the short speech, only a few quick and humorous 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.
The president stood next to Peach, whose loud turkey noises were heard through the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing the audience to laugh.
The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this moment.
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is to stay calm and enjoy eating. He was wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses as he listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his time in office.
The president’s demeanor shifted to a more solemn one as he recognized the poignant truth that the holidays signified the final phase of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This is the final time I will be speaking as your president during this season, and I want to express my thanks and gratitude," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you that it has been the greatest honor of my life. I am eternally thankful."
On Monday, 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 the event, President Biden took a moment to acknowledge those who have experienced the loss of a family member, honoring his late son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He stated that we should take advantage of this moment to step away from 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 a disruption of the norms and traditions that Mr. Biden often praised as president. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, Mr. Biden concluded the ceremony with a straightforward and non-political message for the attendees.
He mentioned that in America, we always persevere and maintain hope, never giving up no matter what challenges come our way.
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. For additional information about Zach Montague, please click on the provided link
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