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Biden granted clemency to turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Putting political differences aside, the president utilized the light-hearted event to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a ceremony at the White House, expressing his gratitude for serving as the leader of the country. He mentioned that in the past four years, he has pardoned other turkeys as well, and this year, Peach and Blossom are the lucky ones. These turkeys were chosen based on their behavior and their ability to contribute positively to society. This event also marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington, and it is the president’s final time speaking during this season. He thanked everyone for the honor of being the president and expressed his eternal gratitude.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the nation
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing 77-year-old tradition and expressing gratitude to the nation in a short reflection.
During the brief speech, only a few jokes and witty remarks were made to acknowledge 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 a turkey named Peach, whose loud noises were captured by the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing the audience to laugh.
The president mentioned that Peach was making a final request at the last moment.
During a public event on the South Lawn of the White House, Mr. Biden shared that his personal motto is "stay calm and keep eating." He wore his iconic aviator sunglasses as he listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his time in office.
The president’s demeanor became more solemn as he recognized the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signaled the final chapter of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his lengthy career in public office spanning over five decades.
"This will be my final speech as your president during this time, and I want to express my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you that serving as president has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am thankful beyond words."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue their tradition of serving food at a holiday celebration with friends. This year, they joined 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 family members, specifically mentioning his late son Beau, who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we take advantage of this moment to pause from our hectic schedules and concentrate on the most important thing: our families.
President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months is causing uncertainty in the nation’s capital, hinting at potential changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden valued during his time in office. Despite this, at a recent ceremony, Biden delivered a straightforward and non-political message to attendees before taking photos with Peach.
He expressed that in America, we always persevere and remain steadfast in our beliefs, never giving up and always pushing forward.
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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