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As his presidency comes to an end, Biden pardoned turkeys in a ceremonial event. Putting politics aside, he used the light-hearted occasion to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve as president.
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Biden pardons the final turkeys of his time as President. He pardoned Peach and Blossom in a ceremony at the White House, thanking them for their service. This tradition has been carried out for many years, with previous turkeys being named Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, Liberty and Bell. This event also signifies the beginning of the holiday season in Washington, and it is Biden’s last time speaking as President during this time. He expresses his gratitude and thanks to the American people for the honor of serving as their President.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the capital
President Biden made an appearance on Monday that lasted for eight minutes to grant pardons to two Thanksgiving turkeys. He briefly acknowledged the 77-year-old tradition and took a moment to express gratitude towards the country.
During a brief speech, a few jokes and witty remarks were made to honor Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds, who were named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
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 the last minute.
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd gathered on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is to remain calm and continue eating. He wore his iconic aviator sunglasses as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his time in office.
The president shifted to a more solemn mood to recognize the significant fact that the holidays 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 speech as your president during this time, where I express my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to convey my gratitude to all of you, as serving as president has been the greatest honor of my life. I am thankful beyond words."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue a tradition by serving food at a holiday gathering 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 acknowledge those who have lost loved ones, specifically mentioning his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we should seize this opportunity to pause 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 changes to the norms and traditions that Mr. Biden valued as president. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, Mr. Biden left attendees at the ceremony with a straightforward and non-political message.
He expressed that Americans always persevere and never lose hope, no matter the circumstances.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The Times who writes about the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. To learn more about Zach Montague, click here.
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