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President Biden granted clemency to turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Despite political differences, he used the playful event as a chance to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve as president.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a White House ceremony, expressing gratitude for his time as commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys he had pardoned and announced that Peach and Blossom would be pardoned this year. He also remarked that this event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed gratitude for his time as president.
Written by Zach Montague.
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President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing tradition that is 77 years old. He also took a moment to express gratitude to the country.
The brief speech, which contained only a few jokes and humorous remarks, honored Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each, named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, the official flower of President Biden’s state of residence.
The president stood next to Peach, whose loud gobbling could be heard on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this time," stated the president.
Mr. Biden shared with spectators on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is to stay calm and enjoy eating. He was wearing his characteristic aviator sunglasses as he listed the names of the turkeys he spared from being eaten over the course of four years.
The president adopted a more solemn attitude to recognize the poignant fact that the holidays signaled the conclusion of his presidency and potentially his retirement from public service after over 50 years.
"This will be my final speech as your president during this time, where I express my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to express to 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 to friends during a holiday celebration. 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 from our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.
Prior to taking pictures with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months hinted at potential changes to established norms and traditions that President Biden frequently praised. Despite the uncertainty in Washington D.C., President Biden delivered a straightforward and nonpartisan message to attendees at the ceremony.
He expressed that in America, perseverance is key as we continue to push forward and maintain our belief in the face of challenges.
Zach Montague works as a journalist for the Times and focuses on reporting about the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. To learn more about Zach Montague, click here.
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