Prom
Backed by
President Biden chose to pardon turkeys as one of his final acts in office. Despite the political context, he saw the lighthearted event as a chance to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve as president.
written record of
President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the leader of the country. He mentioned that he has continued the tradition of pardoning turkeys during his time in office, mentioning past pardons of turkeys named Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, Liberty and Bell. This year, he pardoned Peach and Blossom 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 his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as president.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the capital
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing tradition that has been going on for 77 years. He also took a moment to express gratitude towards the country.
During the brief speech, 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.
During the event, the president stood next to Peach, who made loud noises that could be heard on 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.
At the South Lawn of the White House, Mr. Biden shared that he follows the motto "keep calm and gobble on" as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office, all while wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses.
The president shifted to a more solemn demeanor to recognize the bittersweet truth that the holidays signified the conclusion of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his career in public office, which had spanned over five decades.
"This is the last time I will address you as your president during this time, and express my thanks and appreciation," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to tell you that it has been the greatest privilege of my life. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and the 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 this event, President Biden took a moment to acknowledge those who have lost loved ones, specifically honoring 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.
The uncertainty in Washington D.C. was not discussed, but it was clear that President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration could bring significant changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Despite this, he shared a non-political message with attendees at the ceremony before taking photos with Peach.
He expressed that in America, people never give up and always persevere. It is important to keep moving forward and maintaining hope.
Zach Montague works as a journalist for The Times and his beat includes reporting on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. To learn more about Zach Montague, visit his bio on
Prom
Index of the website
Navigation for site information