Prom
Backed by
Biden granted clemency to turkeys as a tradition in his final year as President. Regardless of political differences, he took the opportunity during the light-hearted event to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as President.
document containing a
President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing gratitude for his time as commander in chief. He mentioned that during his presidency, he had the privilege of pardoning other turkeys named Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, Liberty and Bell. This year, he pardoned Peach and Blossom, highlighting their good behavior and contributions to society. He also remarked that this event signifies the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and reflected on his time as president, expressing gratitude for the experience. Biden closed by thanking the audience and expressing his appreciation for serving as president.
Written by Zach Montague
Updating from the nation
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the 77-year-old tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During a short speech, a few jokes and witty remarks were made to acknowledge Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each, named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president addressed the crowd next to a turkey named Peach, whose loud noises could be heard on the microphone, often interrupting President Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this moment," stated the president.
While standing on the South Lawn of the White House, wearing his signature aviators, Mr. Biden shared with the crowd his motto of "keep calm and gobble on." He also listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president changed his tone to be more serious as he recognized the significant fact that the holidays signaled the final stages of his presidency, and potentially the conclusion of his career in public service which has spanned over 50 years.
"This marks the final time I will address you as your president during this time, and express my appreciation and thanks," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to say that it has been a privilege for me. I am thankful always."
On Monday, the president and first lady were planning to continue their tradition of serving food to friends celebrating the holiday together. This year, they were with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During this time, President Biden took a moment to honor those who have lost loved ones, specifically mentioning his son Beau, who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we take a break from our hectic schedules to prioritize our families.
As President-elect Donald J. Trump’s inauguration approaches in two months, there is a sense of uncertainty in Washington DC. Many of the norms and traditions that President Biden cherished are expected to undergo changes. Despite this, he shared a straightforward and non-political message with attendees at a ceremony before taking photos with Peach.
He expressed that no matter what challenges arise, Americans always persevere and continue to have faith in order to keep moving forward.
Zach Montague is a journalist from 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.
Prom
Index of Pages
Navigation for Site Information
