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President Biden granted clemency to two turkeys in a traditional ceremony before Thanksgiving. Regardless of political affiliations, the president took this opportunity to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve as president.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional ceremony at the White House, expressing his gratitude for being the commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys he had pardoned and announced that Peach and Blossom would now join the other pardoned turkeys in the United States. He also spoke about the start of the holiday season in Washington and expressed his gratitude for serving as president. Biden ended by saying it has been an honor and he is forever grateful.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the nation
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing tradition that is 77 years old and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
The brief speech, containing only a few jokes and witty remarks, acknowledged Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each, named after the peach blossoms of Delaware, which is the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president stood next to Peach, whose loud noises could be heard on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at the last minute," stated the president.
During a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Mr. Biden shared that his motto is to stay calm and enjoy eating, as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office. He was wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses while making this announcement.
The president changed his demeanor to a more somber one to recognize the emotional truth that the holidays symbolized the conclusion of his presidency and potentially the end of his long career in public service spanning over 50 years.
"This is my final time addressing you as your president for this term, and expressing my appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you that serving as president has been the greatest honor of my life. I am eternally 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 were with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During this event, President Biden took a moment to remember 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 and what is most important to us.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months hinted at potential changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, Biden shared a straightforward and nonpartisan message with attendees at the ceremony.
He insisted that in America, we always persevere and maintain our belief in the face of challenges.
Zach Montague is a journalist for the Times who reports on topics related to the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. To learn more about Zach Montague, visit his profile on the
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