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Biden spared the lives of two turkeys as a tradition in his final act as President. Regardless of political beliefs, he took the opportunity to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve as President one last time.
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President Biden granted clemency to two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony and thanked them for their service as commander in chief. He mentioned that over the past four years, he has pardoned several pairs of turkeys, including Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, Liberty and Bell. This year, Peach and Blossom were pardoned based on their behavior and commitment to being productive members of society. Biden also noted that this event signals the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to speak as president during this time. He ended by saying it has been a great honor and he is thankful for the experience.
Authored by Zach Montague
Reporting from the nation
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During the short speech, only a few jokes and witty remarks were made to acknowledge Peach and Blossom, two 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.
During the event, the president stood next to Peach, a turkey whose loud noises could be heard on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden and causing laughter from the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this moment," was the statement made.
Mr. Biden shared with spectators on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is to stay calm and enjoy eating. He was wearing his characteristic aviator sunglasses as he listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president’s demeanor became more somber as he recognized the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signified the final chapter of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his long career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This will be the last time I speak here as your president during this time of year, and express my thanks and appreciation," commented Mr. Biden. "So I want to tell you that it has been a great privilege for me. 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, specifically mentioning his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested using this moment to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s inauguration in two months hinted at potential changes to the norms and traditions that Mr. Biden valued during his presidency. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, Mr. Biden shared a brief and non-political message at the ceremony.
He expressed that in America, perseverance is key and we never lose hope. We continue to move forward and maintain our belief.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The Times who reports on topics such as the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. For more information about Zach Montague, please visit his profile.
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