Prom
Backed by
Biden, in his final act as president, pardoned turkeys as a tradition. During this light-hearted ceremony, he expressed gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as president.
written record of
President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a White House ceremony, expressing gratitude for his time as commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys he had pardoned and announced that Peach and Blossom would be the latest additions to the free birds of America. He also noted that the event signaled the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and reflected on his time as president, expressing gratitude for the experience.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the nation
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing 77-year-old tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During the brief speech, only a few jokes and clever 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 the state where Mr. Biden is from.
The president stood next to Peach, a turkey whose loud noises were heard on the microphone, frequently interrupting Mr. 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.
Mr. Biden shared with the audience on the South Lawn of the White House his motto of staying calm and enjoying a meal, while wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses and listing off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his time in office.
The president’s tone became more serious as he acknowledged the bittersweet reality that the holiday season signified the nearing end of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his long career in public service spanning over 50 years.
"This will be my final time addressing you as president at this time of year, expressing my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to convey that serving as your president 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 gathering with friends to celebrate the holiday. 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 family members, specifically mentioning his late son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we take advantage of this moment to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months hinted at potential changes to the norms and traditions that Mr. Biden frequently praised during his presidency. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the nation’s capital, Mr. Biden conveyed a straightforward and nonpartisan message to the attendees at the ceremony.
He expressed that in America, we always persevere and maintain hope no matter what challenges we face.
Zach Montague works as a journalist for The Times and focuses on reporting about the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. To learn more about Zach Montague, visit his profile.
Prom
Index of the website
Navigation to find information on