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In his final act as president, Biden pardoned two turkeys in a lighthearted ceremony. Putting politics aside, he took the opportunity to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as their leader.
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President Biden pardoned a pair of turkeys in a White House ceremony, expressing gratitude for being the commander in chief. He mentioned that over the past four years, he has pardoned other turkeys and now Peach and Blossom will join them as free birds in the United States. He pardoned them based on their temperament and commitment to being productive members of society. President Biden also mentioned that this event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and it is his last time speaking as president during this time. He expressed his gratitude and said it has been the honor of his life.
Written by Zach Montague
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President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to grant pardons to two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing tradition that has been observed for 77 years. He also took a moment to express gratitude to the country.
During a brief speech, a few jokes and witty comments 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 was speaking next to Peach, whose loud gobbling could be heard on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing the audience to laugh.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this moment," was the statement made.
At the White House’s South Lawn, Mr. Biden shared that his motto is to stay calm and enjoy life. He wore his iconic aviator sunglasses as he listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president’s demeanor shifted to a more solemn one as he recognized the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signaled the conclusion of his presidency, and potentially the conclusion of his career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This will be my final address as your president during this time, where I express my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to express that it has been the greatest privilege of my life. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue a 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 the time to acknowledge and honor those who have lost loved ones, specifically mentioning his late son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we take a break from our hectic schedules to prioritize our families.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s inauguration in two months hinted at potential changes to norms and traditions that Mr. Biden cherished as president. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, he left ceremony attendees with a straightforward and non-political message.
He expressed that in America, people never give up and always persevere. They continue moving forward and holding onto their beliefs.
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, click here.
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