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Biden granted clemency to turkeys in his final act as President. Despite political differences, the president took the chance to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing appreciation for his time as commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys he had pardoned and announced Peach and Blossom as the latest recipients of pardon based on their behavior and contributions to society. Biden also noted that the event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed gratitude for his time as president.
Written by Zach Montague
Reporting from the capital
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to grant clemency to two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing tradition that has been around for 77 years and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During the brief speech, a few jokes and clever 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 gobbling could be heard on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing the audience to laugh.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this moment," stated the president.
At the South Lawn of the White House, Mr. Biden shared that his motto is to remain calm and enjoy eating. He wore his iconic aviator sunglasses as he listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president changed his tone to a more somber one to recognize the significant moment when the holidays arrived, signaling the conclusion of his presidency and potentially his long career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This is my final speech here as your president for this term, and I want to express my thanks and appreciation," commented Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you that serving as president has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am thankful forever."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue their tradition of serving food to friends celebrating the holiday together. This year, they joined 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 take advantage of this moment to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize spending time with our loved ones.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months hinted at potential changes to the norms and traditions often praised by Mr. Biden during his presidency. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, Mr. Biden left attendees at the ceremony with a straightforward and non-political message.
He expressed that in America, we always persevere and never lose hope. We continue to move forward and hold onto our beliefs.
Zach Montague is a journalist from 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 on his profile.
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