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Biden granted clemency to turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Despite political differences, the president took the opportunity during a playful event to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve as president.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a White House ceremony, thanking them for their service as commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys he had pardoned and announced that Peach and Blossom would be joining the ranks of free birds in the United States. He ended by acknowledging that this event marked the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as president.
Written by Zach Montague
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President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to officially pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, continuing a tradition that has been in place for 77 years. He took a moment to reflect and express gratitude to the nation.
During the short speech, only a few jokes and funny remarks were made to acknowledge Peach and Blossom, two birds weighing over 40 pounds each and named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, which are the official flower of Mr. Biden’s state of residence.
The president gave a speech next to Peach, a turkey whose loud noises could be heard on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter from the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this moment," stated the president.
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that he follows the motto "stay calm and gobble on." He was wearing his recognizable aviator sunglasses as he listed off the names of the turkeys he had pardoned during his four years as president.
The president shifted to a more somber demeanor to recognize the emotional truth that the beginning of the holiday season signaled the final chapter of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his long career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This will be my final speech as your president during this period, where I express my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to express to you that serving as president has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am eternally thankful."
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, specifically mentioning his late son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested taking a break from our hectic schedules to prioritize our families during this moment.
The inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump, just two months away, hinted at potential changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, President Biden shared a brief and non-political message with attendees at the ceremony before taking photos with Peach.
He expressed that in America, people never give up and continue to persevere with unwavering faith.
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, you can visit his profile.
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