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As his term comes to an end, President Biden pardoned turkeys in a traditional ceremony. Putting politics aside, he expressed gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve as president one last time.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a ceremony at the White House, expressing his gratitude for being the commander in chief. He mentioned that during his presidency, he pardoned other turkeys named Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, Liberty and Bell. This year, he pardoned Peach and Blossom. He also mentioned that this event marks the start of the holiday season in Washington and expressed his gratitude for serving as president.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the nation
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to grant pardons to two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the 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 humorous 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, a turkey whose loud noises could be heard on the microphone, often drowning out Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter from the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at the last minute," stated the president.
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 was wearing his usual aviator sunglasses as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president shifted to a more somber demeanor to recognize the poignant fact that the holidays signaled the conclusion of his presidency, and potentially the end of his career in public service that had spanned over five decades.
"This is my final time speaking as your president during this time of year, and I want to express my thanks and appreciation," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to say that it has been a privilege and I am deeply thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady had plans to continue a tradition by helping serve food at a holiday gathering with friends. This year, they celebrated with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During this event, 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 should take advantage of this moment to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.
Prior to taking photos with Peach at the ceremony, President-elect Donald J. Trump hinted at significant changes to the norms and traditions in the nation’s capital. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his upcoming inauguration, he left attendees with a straightforward and nonpartisan message, contrasting with President Biden’s previous celebrations of these norms.
He expressed that in America, we always persevere and never lose hope. We continue to move forward and maintain our belief in ourselves.
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 on The Times website.
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