Prom
Backed by
President Biden pardoned two turkeys as a tradition for the last time during his presidency. Putting politics aside, he expressed gratitude to the nation during the light-hearted ceremony for allowing him the chance to serve as president.
written record of
President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony and expressed his gratitude for serving as the commander in chief. He mentioned that he has pardoned other turkeys in the past and this year, Peach and Blossom will also join the free birds of the United States. He pardoned them based on their temperament and commitment to being productive members of society. Biden also mentioned that this event signals the start of the holiday season in Washington and it is his last time speaking as president during this season. He thanked everyone and expressed his gratitude for the honor of serving as president.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the nation
President Biden made an appearance that lasted eight minutes on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys. He acknowledged the 77-year-old tradition and took a moment to express gratitude for the country.
The brief speech, containing a few jokes and witty remarks, acknowledged Peach and Blossom, two birds weighing over 40 pounds each, named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, which are the official flower of President Biden’s state.
During the event, the president stood next to Peach, a turkey whose loud gobbling 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.
"Mr. Biden shared with spectators on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is ‘keep calm and gobble on.’ He was wearing his signature aviator sunglasses as he listed the names of the turkeys he had officially pardoned during his four years in office."
The president adopted a more somber tone to recognize the emotional truth that the holiday season signified the conclusion of his time as president, and potentially the conclusion of his career in public service that spanned over five decades.
"This will be the final time I address you as your president during this period, and I want to express my thanks and appreciation," said Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you that it has been the greatest privilege of my life. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue their 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 ritual, President Biden took a moment to acknowledge 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 truly matters.
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 often praised by Mr. Biden during his presidency. Despite the uncertainty in the nation’s capital, Mr. Biden concluded the ceremony with a straightforward and non-political message for attendees.
He expressed that in America, we always persevere and continue onward despite challenges. We maintain our belief and determination.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The New York 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
Website Directory
Navigation for Site Information