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As his final act as president, Biden pardoned turkeys in a light-hearted ceremony, taking the opportunity to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve. Politics were set aside during the event.
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President Biden has officially pardoned a pair of turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the president. He mentioned that over the past four years, he has pardoned several pairs of turkeys, and this year, Peach and Blossom are the lucky ones. He pardoned them based on their behavior and potential to be productive members of society. This event also signifies the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and marks President Biden’s last time speaking during this season as the president. He expressed his gratitude for the honor of serving as president and thanked the audience for their support.
Written by Zach Montague
Updating from the nation
On Monday, President Biden took eight minutes to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the 77-year-old tradition and expressing gratitude to the nation.
During a short and to-the-point speech, Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each, were acknowledged. They were named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, which are the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president stood next to Peach, whose loud noises were captured by 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," stated the president.
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that he follows the motto "stay calm and gobble on." He was wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president’s demeanor changed to a more solemn one as he recognized the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signaled the conclusion of his presidency and potentially his retirement from public service after a long career spanning over 50 years.
"This will be the final time I address you as your president during this time, and express my thanks and appreciation," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to tell you that it has been the greatest privilege of my life. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and the first lady planned to continue their 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 this event, President Biden took a moment to honor those who have lost loved ones, including his 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 during this moment.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s imminent inauguration in two months hinted at changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Despite the uncertainty in the nation’s capital, President Biden left attendees at the ceremony with a straightforward and non-political message.
He expressed the belief that in America, individuals always persevere and continue to have hope no matter what challenges they face.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. For additional information about Zach Montague, please visit his profile.
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