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Biden granted clemency to turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Putting political differences aside, the president took part in a playful ceremony to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing gratitude for his role as commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys he had pardoned and announced that this year, Peach and Blossom would be pardoned based on their good behavior and contribution to society. Biden also noted that this event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as president.
Authored by Zach Montague
Writing from the nation
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, mentioning the long-standing 77-year-old tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude for the country.
During the brief speech, a few jokes and clever remarks 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, whose loud gobbling noises could be heard on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing the audience to laugh.
The president stated that Peach is making a final request or appeal at this moment.
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that he follows the motto of "keep calm and gobble on." He wore his usual aviator sunglasses as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his time in office.
The president shifted to a more somber attitude to recognize the bittersweet fact 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 all as your president for this term, and expressing my appreciation and gratitude," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to express that it has been the most honorable experience of my life. I am eternally thankful."
On Monday, the president and the first lady planned to continue a tradition by 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, specifically mentioning his late son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested taking advantage of this moment to pause 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 potential changes to the norms and traditions celebrated by Mr. Biden during his presidency. Despite the uncertainty in Washington DC, Mr. Biden left attendees at the ceremony with a straightforward and non-political message.
He expressed that in America, we always persevere and never give up. We continue to move forward and maintain our belief and trust in ourselves.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. For additional information about Zach Montague, please visit his profile.
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