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President Biden Pardons Turkeys for the Final Time: A Gesture of Gratitude and Tradition

In Citizen
November 28, 2024

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Biden granted clemency to turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Regardless of political beliefs, the president took the opportunity during a playful ceremony to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve.

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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 his previous pardons of other turkeys and pardoned Peach and Blossom this year. The event also signifies the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and marks Biden’s last time speaking as president during this time. He expressed his gratitude and said it has been the honor of his life.

Written by Zach Montague

Writing from the nation

President Biden made a short appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the longstanding 77-year-old tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude to 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. 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," was stated.

Mr. Biden shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that he follows the motto of staying calm and enjoying life. He wore his iconic aviator sunglasses as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his time in office.

The president adopted a more somber demeanor to recognize the bittersweet truth that the holidays signified the final phase of his presidency, and potentially the conclusion of his decades-long career in public service.

"This is the final time I will address you as your president during this time, and express my appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you that serving as your president has been the greatest honor of my life. I will always be thankful."

On Monday, the president and first lady were planning to continue a tradition of serving food at a gathering of friends during the holiday. This year, they were with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During the event, President Biden took a moment to honor those who have lost loved ones, mentioning his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.

He expressed the importance of taking a break from our hectic schedules to 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 cherished during his presidency. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the nation’s capital, Mr. Biden left attendees at the ceremony with a straightforward and non-political message.

He expressed that in America, perseverance is key and giving up is not an option. It is important to continue moving forward and to maintain belief in oneself.

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 on his profile.

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