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In his final act as president, Biden pardoned turkeys in a lighthearted ceremony, taking the opportunity to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve. Politics were put aside for the moment.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a ceremony at the White House, continuing a tradition that he has upheld during his presidency. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to pardon turkeys in the past, and announced that this year’s pardoned turkeys are Peach and Blossom. This event also marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington, and President Biden reflected on his time as president and expressed his gratitude for the experience.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the nation
On Monday, President Biden took eight minutes to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the 77-year-old tradition and expressing gratitude to the nation in a brief moment of reflection.
The short speech mentioned Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each, named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, the official flower of the state where Mr. Biden is from. The speech was brief and included only a few jokes and witty remarks.
The president was talking next to Peach, whose loud sounds were captured by the microphone, frequently interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing the audience to laugh.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request right now."
Mr. Biden shared with the audience on the South Lawn of the White House that he follows the motto "keep calm and gobble on." He was wearing his trademark aviator sunglasses as he listed the names of the turkeys he had pardoned during his four years in office.
The president shifted to a more somber attitude to recognize the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signaled 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 speak as your president during this time, and express my thanks and appreciation," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to convey that serving as your president has been the greatest honor of my life. I will always be thankful."
On a later Monday, the president and the first lady had plans to continue a tradition they have, which involves serving food to a group of friends who are celebrating the holiday together. This year, they were gathering 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 that we take a break from our hectic schedules to prioritize our families in this moment.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months suggested a potential change in the norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, President Biden shared a straightforward and non-political message with attendees at the ceremony.
He stated that in America, we always persevere and maintain our belief in hope, no matter what challenges we may face.
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
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