Prom
Backed by
President Biden granted clemency to turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Putting politics aside, he utilized the festive event as a chance to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve.
written record of
Biden has pardoned the last turkeys of his presidency in a ceremony at the White House. He thanked the turkeys for their service and announced that Peach and Blossom would be pardoned this year. He also expressed gratitude for his time as president and the start of the holiday season in Washington. Biden ended his speech by saying it has been an honor and he is grateful.
Authored by Zach Montague
Writing from the nation
On Monday, President Biden took eight minutes to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the 77-year-old tradition and expressing gratitude for the country in a brief moment of reflection.
During the brief speech, only a few jokes and remarks were made, honoring Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds, named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, the state flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president addressed the audience next to Peach, whose loud gobbles were caught on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the people present.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a plea at the last minute."
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is to stay calm and enjoy eating. He was wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses as he listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president changed his demeanor to a more somber one to recognize the somber truth that the holidays’ arrival signaled the nearing end of his time as president and potentially the conclusion of his decades-long career in public service.
"This is the final time I will address you as your president during this time, and express my gratitude," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to express that it has been a great honor for me. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady had plans to continue their tradition of serving food at a holiday celebration with friends. This year, they were celebrating with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During the event, President Biden made sure to acknowledge those who have experienced loss, including his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we should take advantage of this moment to pause from 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 President Biden valued. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, President Biden shared a straightforward and non-political message with those present at the ceremony.
He expressed that in America, people never give up and they continue to persevere with unwavering 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, click here.
Prom
Index of Pages
Navigation for Site Information