Prom
Backed by
President Biden held a lighthearted ceremony to pardon some turkeys, marking the last time he will do so during his presidency. Regardless of political beliefs, he took the opportunity to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as president.
document containing a
President Biden has officially pardoned a pair of turkeys during a traditional White House ceremony, expressing thanks for his time as commander in chief. The turkeys, named Peach and Blossom, have been pardoned based on their good behavior and contributions to society. This event signifies the beginning of the holiday season in Washington, and also marks President Biden’s last speech as president during this time. He expressed gratitude for his time in office and stated that it has been the greatest honor of his life.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the capital
President Biden spent eight minutes on Monday participating in the tradition of pardoning Thanksgiving turkeys. He briefly acknowledged the 77-year-old tradition and took a moment to express gratitude to the country.
The brief speech highlighted Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each, who were named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, the state flower of Mr. Biden’s home state. The speech included a few jokes and remarks.
The president stood next to Peach, who made loud noises that were heard on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden and causing laughter from the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request," he said.
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is to stay calm and keep eating. He was wearing his usual aviator sunglasses and listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president shifted to a more solemn demeanor to recognize the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signified the conclusion of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his lengthy career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This is my final time speaking as your president during this time, and expressing my gratitude," President Biden mentioned. "I want to convey that it has been a great privilege for me. I am eternally thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue a 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 this event, President Biden took a moment to honor those who have lost family members, specifically mentioning his late 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 during this moment.
Before posing for photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months suggested a potential disruption of the norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the nation’s capital, President Biden delivered a straightforward and nonpartisan message to attendees at the ceremony.
He expressed how in America, people always persevere and maintain hope, never giving up and continuing to move forward.
Zach Montague is a journalist for the Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. You can find out more information about Zach Montague.
Prom
Index of Pages
Navigation for Site Information
