Prom
Backed by
President Biden performed his last turkey pardoning ceremony, putting politics aside to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve.
written record of
President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony and expressed his appreciation for being the commander in chief. He mentioned that over the past four years, he has pardoned other turkeys named Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, Liberty and Bell. This year, he pardoned Peach and Blossom based on their behavior and commitment to society. He 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. Biden expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as president and said it has been the honor of his life.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the capital
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the longstanding 77-year-old tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During the brief speech, only a few jokes and 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 is the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
During the event, the president stood next to Peach, whose loud gobbling was captured on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing amusement among the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this moment," stated the president.
Mr. Biden shared with the audience on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is to "stay calm and keep eating." He was wearing his signature aviator sunglasses as he listed off the names of the turkeys he had pardoned during his four years in office.
The president shifted to a more solemn mood to recognize the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signified the conclusion of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This will be my final time speaking as your president during this time of year, and expressing my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to express to you that it has been the greatest honor of my life. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue a tradition by serving food at a holiday gathering with friends, this time with members of the Coast Guard and their loved ones on Staten Island. During the event, President Biden took a moment to honor those who have lost loved ones, including his late son Beau, who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we seize this opportunity to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.
Prior to 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 cherished by Mr. Biden during his time as president. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the nation’s capital, Mr. Biden delivered a straightforward and non-political message to those present at the ceremony.
He expressed that Americans always persevere and never give up, continuing to have faith and keep pushing forward.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. For more information about Zach Montague, please visit his bio page.
Prom
Index of the Website
Navigation Information for the Website