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President Biden granted clemency to turkeys in a ceremonial tradition that will be his final one before leaving office. Putting politics aside, the president expressed gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve during a light-hearted event.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional ceremony at the White House, expressing his gratitude for being the commander in chief. He mentioned that he has continued the tradition of pardoning turkeys over the last four years, including Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, Liberty and Bell, and now Peach and Blossom. He pardoned Peach and Blossom based on their temperament and commitment to being productive members of society. 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 thanked everyone for the honor and expressed his gratitude.
Authored by Zach Montague
Writing from the capital
On Monday, President Biden took eight minutes to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the longstanding 77-year-old tradition and briefly expressing gratitude to the nation.
The brief speech highlighted Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each, named after Delaware’s official flower, the peach blossoms, which is also the home state of Mr. Biden.
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," stated the president.
At the White House’s South Lawn, Mr. Biden shared that he follows the motto "keep calm and gobble on," while wearing his signature aviator sunglasses. He also listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president shifted to a more solemn tone to recognize the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signified the conclusion of his time as president and potentially the end of his career in public service that spanned over five decades.
"This will be the final time I address you as your president during this time, and express my appreciation," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to tell you that serving as your president has been the greatest honor of my life. I am thankful beyond words."
On Monday, the president and 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 the 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 schedules and prioritize our families.
As President-elect Donald J. Trump’s inauguration approaches in two months, there is a lot of uncertainty in Washington D.C. about what changes may come. Despite this, Mr. Biden kept his message at the ceremony simple and non-political, focusing on unity and tradition. He also took photos with Peach before leaving.
He expressed that in America, perseverance is key and we always push forward with determination and belief.
Zach Montague is a journalist for the Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. Learn more about Zach Montague.
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