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Biden, in his final year as President, pardoned two turkeys in a traditional ceremony. Despite the political context, he used the event as a chance to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve as President.
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President Biden has pardoned the final turkeys of his presidency in a traditional ceremony at the White House. He thanked them for their service and announced that Peach and Blossom are the lucky birds to be pardoned this year. This event also signifies the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and marks President Biden’s last season as president. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as commander in chief.
Written by Zach Montague
Updating from the capital
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to grant pardons to two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging a long-standing tradition that has been in place for 77 years. He also took a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During the brief speech, only 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.
The president stood next to Peach, who made gobbling sounds that were captured by the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request urgently."
"Mr. Biden shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that he follows the motto ‘keep calm and gobble on.’ He also listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office, all while wearing his recognizable aviator sunglasses."
The president shifted to a more somber demeanor to recognize the emotional truth that the holiday season signified the conclusion of his time as president, and potentially the conclusion 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 thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you that it has been a great privilege for me. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and the first lady planned to continue a tradition by serving food at a holiday celebration with friends, this time with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During this gathering, Mr. Biden took a moment to honor those who have experienced loss, specifically mentioning his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we should seize this moment to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize spending time with our loved ones.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months hinted at a potential change in the norms and traditions that Mr. Biden frequently praised during his presidency. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the nation’s capital, Mr. Biden left those attending the ceremony with a straightforward and nonpartisan message.
He stated that in America, we always persevere and maintain hope, never giving up on our goals.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. To learn more about Zach Montague, visit his profile.
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