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In a lighthearted ceremony, President Biden pardoned turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Regardless of political views, he expressed gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as president.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony, thanking them for their service as commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys he had pardoned and announced Peach and Blossom as the newest pardoned turkeys. Biden also acknowledged the start of the holiday season in Washington and expressed his gratitude for serving as president.
Written by Zach Montague
Reporting live from the
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 short speech, only a few jokes and witty 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 a turkey named Peach, whose loud noises were captured by the microphone, frequently interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter from the audience.
The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at the last minute.
Mr. Biden shared with spectators on the South Lawn of the White House that he follows the motto "keep calm and gobble on." He wore his characteristic aviator sunglasses as he listed the names of the turkeys he spared during his four years in office.
The president shifted to a more somber attitude to recognize the bittersweet fact that the holiday season signaled the conclusion of his time as president, and potentially the end of his career in public service following over five decades of dedication.
"This will be my final time addressing you all as your president during this time, and expressing my appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to express that it has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am thankful forever."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue a tradition by serving food at a holiday celebration with friends. This year, they were 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 our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.
The uncertainty in Washington D.C. was not discussed, as President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration hinted at significant changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Before taking photos with Peach, Biden shared a straightforward and non-political message with attendees at the ceremony.
He expressed that in America, perseverance is key and giving up is never an option. He emphasized the importance of continuing on and maintaining faith.
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.
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