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As his presidency comes to an end, Biden chose to pardon turkeys in a festive ceremony as a way to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as president. Politics were put aside for this light-hearted event.
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President Biden has pardoned two turkeys in a White House ceremony, thanking them for their service. He mentioned that over the past four years, he has pardoned turkeys named Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, Liberty and Bell, and now Peach and Blossom. These turkeys were chosen based on their behavior and their contributions to society. This event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and President Biden’s last time speaking as president during this season. He expressed his gratitude and said it has been an honor for him.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the capital
President Biden made an appearance for eight minutes on Monday to officially pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the longstanding 77-year-old tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During the brief speech, 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 Peach, a turkey whose loud noises were captured by the microphone, often drowning out Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final appeal," stated.
"He follows the saying ‘stay calm and keep eating,’" Mr. Biden shared with spectators on the South Lawn of the White House, wearing his usual aviator sunglasses as he listed the names of the turkeys he spared during his four years in office.
The president’s demeanor became more solemn as he recognized the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signified the final stretch of his time as president, and potentially the conclusion of his decades-long career in public service.
"This will be my final speech as your president during this time, where I express my thanks and appreciation," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to tell you that serving as your president has been the greatest honor of my life. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue a tradition by serving food to friends celebrating the holiday together. This year, they joined members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During this event, Mr. 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 take advantage of this moment to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize spending time with our loved ones.
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 shared a straightforward and non-political message with attendees at the ceremony.
He expressed the idea that in America, perseverance is key. We always push forward and maintain our 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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