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Biden, in his final days as President, chose to pardon turkeys as a symbolic gesture. Despite the political context, he took the opportunity during the light-hearted ceremony to express his gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as President.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing thanks for his time as the leader of the country. He mentioned that over the past four years, he has pardoned several pairs of turkeys, and this year, Peach and Blossom will be joining the other pardoned turkeys. He pardoned them based on their behavior and dedication to society. President Biden also acknowledged that this event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and that it is his last time speaking as president during this season. He expressed gratitude for his time as president and stated that it has been a great honor for him.
Written by Zach Montague
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President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the longstanding 77-year-old tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During a brief speech, a few jokes and humorous remarks were made to acknowledge Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each, named after the peach blossoms that symbolize Delaware, President Biden’s home state.
The president gave a speech next to Peach, whose loud noises were captured by the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden and causing the audience to laugh.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request," the statement read.
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd at the White House that his motto is to remain calm and carry on while listing the names of the turkeys he has pardoned during his four years in office, all while wearing his trademark aviator sunglasses.
The president shifted to a more somber mood to recognize the bittersweet truth that the holidays signified the final chapter of his presidency, and potentially the conclusion of his decades-long career in public service.
"This will be my final speech as your president for this term, and I want to express my thanks and appreciation," Mr. Biden announced. "I want to tell you all 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 on Staten Island. During the 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 should seize this moment to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.
Ignoring the questions and doubts surrounding the government in Washington, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration hinted at significant changes to the usual practices and customs that Mr. Biden supported during his presidency. Before taking photos with Peach, he shared a straightforward and nonpartisan message with those present at the event.
He expressed that in America, we always persevere and never lose hope. We continue to push forward and maintain our belief in achieving 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. Learn more about Zach Montague.
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