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In his final act as president, Biden pardoned turkeys as a lighthearted ceremony to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve. Politics were put aside for this event.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing gratitude for his time as commander in chief. He mentioned that over the past four years he has pardoned other turkeys named Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, Liberty and Bell. The turkeys being pardoned this year are named Peach and Blossom. He pardoned them based on their behavior and dedication to society. President Biden also mentioned that this event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and it is his last time speaking as president during this season. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as president and thanked everyone for their support.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the nation
On Monday, President Biden made an appearance that lasted eight minutes to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys. He acknowledged the 77-year-old tradition and took a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During the brief speech, only a few jokes and funny 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 Peach, whose loud noises were captured by the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter from the audience.
The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at the last minute.
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is to stay calm and enjoy gobbling, as he listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office, all while wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses.
The president’s demeanor shifted to a more somber tone as he recognized the bittersweet truth that the approaching holidays signaled the conclusion of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his decades-long career in public service.
"This will be the final time I address you as your president during this time, and express my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you that it has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am thankful beyond words."
On Monday, the president and the first lady planned to continue a tradition of their own by 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 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 should take advantage of this moment to pause our hectic lives and prioritize our families.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months hinted at significant changes to the norms and traditions that Mr. Biden frequently praised as president. Despite the uncertainty in the nation’s capital, Mr. Biden delivered a straightforward and non-political message to those present at the ceremony.
He expressed that in America, perseverance is key and giving up is never an option. It’s important to keep moving forward and maintain hope.
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 about Zach Montague by visiting his profile.
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