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In his final act as president, Biden pardoned turkeys and took a moment to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve. The event was a light-hearted ceremony with no political undertones.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional ceremony at the White House, thanking them for their service as commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys he had pardoned and announced that this year, Peach and Blossom would be joining the ranks of pardoned turkeys. The event also signified the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and was President Biden’s final time speaking as president during this time. He expressed gratitude and said it had been the honor of his life.
Written 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.
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 the state where Mr. Biden is from.
The president was giving a speech next to Peach, a turkey whose loud noises could be heard on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden and causing the audience to laugh.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request," stated by the president.
Mr. Biden spoke to people watching on the South Lawn of the White House, saying that he lives by the motto "keep calm and gobble on." He was wearing his signature aviator sunglasses and listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president’s demeanor shifted to a more solemn one as he recognized the bittersweet truth that the holidays signaled the conclusion of his presidency and could potentially mark the end of his decades-long career in public service.
"This will be my final speech as your president during this time, and I want to express my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to say that serving as your president has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am thankful beyond words."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue a tradition of serving food to friends celebrating the holiday together. 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 experienced the loss of a family member, specifically honoring his late 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 Mr. Biden valued during his presidency. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the nation’s capital, Mr. Biden shared a straightforward and nonpartisan message with attendees at the ceremony.
He expressed that in America, people always persevere and have unwavering determination. They continue to move forward and maintain their belief in better outcomes.
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, visit his profile on the Times website.
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