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Biden granted clemency to turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Putting politics aside, the president took part in a fun ceremony to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a White House ceremony, expressing gratitude for his time as commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys he had pardoned and announced that Peach and Blossom would be pardoned this year. He stated that the event marked the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed his gratitude for serving as president. Biden closed by thanking the audience and saying it had been an honor to serve as president.
Authored by Zach Montague
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President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to grant pardons to two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the longstanding 77-year-old tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During the brief speech, only a few jokes and witty 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 turkey noises were captured by the microphone, often drowning out Mr. Biden’s speech and causing the audience to laugh.
The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at the last minute.
Mr. Biden shared with spectators on the White House’s South Lawn that he follows the motto "keep calm and gobble on." He wore his distinctive aviator sunglasses while listing the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president’s demeanor shifted to a somber one as he recognized the bittersweet fact that the holiday season signified the final chapter of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his decades-long career in public service.
"This will be the last time I speak here as your president at this time of year, and express my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to let you know that serving as president has been the greatest honor of my life. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue their tradition of serving food at a holiday gathering with friends. This year, they celebrated with members of the Coast Guard and their families in Staten Island. During this event, President Biden took a moment to honor those who have lost loved ones, including 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.
Prior to taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months hinted at potential changes to longstanding norms and traditions in Washington, leaving attendees at the ceremony with a straightforward and nonpartisan message from Mr. Biden, who often praised these traditions during his presidency.
He expressed that in America, people never give up and always persevere by keeping their faith and continuing to push forward.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. To learn more about Zach Montague, click here.
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