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Biden granted clemency to turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Despite political differences, the president took the opportunity during a playful event to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve.
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President Biden pardoned the last turkeys of his presidency in a White House ceremony, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve as commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys he had pardoned and then pardoned Peach and Blossom based on their good behavior. Biden also noted that this event signifies the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed thanks for the opportunity to serve as president.
Authored by Zach Montague
Writing from the capital
President Biden made an appearance that lasted for eight minutes on Monday to grant pardons to two Thanksgiving turkeys. He briefly mentioned the 77-year-old tradition and took a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
The brief speech, which contained a few jokes and witty remarks, acknowledged 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 resides.
The president stood next to Peach, whose loud noises were captured by the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter among those present.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request," stated the president.
Mr. Biden told a crowd on the South Lawn of the White House about how he lives by the saying "keep calm and gobble on." He wore his signature aviator sunglasses as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president adopted a somber tone to recognize the bittersweet truth that the holidays signaled the conclusion of his presidency and potentially his long career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This will be the final time I address you as president during this time, and express my appreciation and thanks," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to express that it 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 celebration with friends. This year, they were with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During this event, President Biden took time to honor those who have lost loved ones, including his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we should take advantage of this moment to pause 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 changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, President Biden delivered a straightforward and non-political message to those present at the ceremony.
He stated that in America, we always persevere and maintain hope, never giving up on our goals.
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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