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President Biden granted clemency to turkeys for the final time during his term in office. Putting aside any political issues, he took part in a lighthearted 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 and expressed gratitude for being able to do so as the president. He mentioned that in 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 contribution to society. Biden also shared that this event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and his last time speaking as president during this time. He thanked everyone for the honor and expressed his gratitude.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the capital
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, continuing a tradition that has been going on for 77 years. During his short speech, he also took a moment to express gratitude to the country.
The brief speech, consisting of a few jokes and witty remarks, acknowledged 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 was speaking next to Peach, whose loud gobbling could be heard on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden and causing laughter among the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request," stated the president.
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd at the White House’s South Lawn that he follows the motto of ‘stay calm and eat on’. He was wearing his typical aviator sunglasses as he listed off the names of the turkeys he had pardoned during his time in office.
The president changed his tone to a more somber one to recognize the emotional reality that the holiday season signaled the conclusion of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his career in public service spanning over 50 years.
"This will be the final time I address you as your president during this time, and express my appreciation and thanks," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to express that it has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am eternally thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue a tradition by 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 this event, President Biden took the time to acknowledge those who have experienced the loss of a family member, specifically honoring his late son Beau, who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we should take advantage of this moment to pause our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s impending inauguration in two months hinted at a potential disruption of the norms and traditions that President Biden frequently praised during his time in office. Despite the uncertainty in Washington D.C., President Biden left those in attendance at the ceremony with a straightforward and nonpartisan message.
He expressed that Americans always persevere and never lose hope. They continue to move forward and maintain their belief in better outcomes.
Zach Montague is a journalist for the New York Times who reports on topics such as the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. For additional information about Zach Montague, visit his profile
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