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President Biden granted clemency to turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Regardless of political beliefs, he took the opportunity during the light-hearted event to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as president.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing gratitude for his time as commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys he had pardoned and announced that this year, Peach and Blossom would be pardoned based on their good behavior. He also reflected on his time as president during the holiday season, thanking the American people for the honor of serving as their leader.
Written by Zach Montague
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President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing 77-year-old tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude to the country.
The brief speech featured only a few jokes and funny remarks, acknowledging Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each, named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, which are the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president stood next to Peach, whose loud noises were captured by 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 this moment," remarked the president.
Mr. Biden shared with the audience on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is to stay calm and enjoy eating, as he listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office, all while wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses.
The president changed his tone to a more serious one to recognize the emotional truth that the holidays signaled the conclusion of his presidency and potentially the end of his career in public service spanning over five decades.
"It is my final time addressing you all as your president for this term, and expressing my appreciation," shared Mr. Biden. "I want to convey that serving as your president has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am eternally thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue a tradition by serving food at a holiday gathering with friends, this time 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 that we pause from our hectic schedules to prioritize our families in this moment.
The uncertainty surrounding the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump in two months was not discussed at the ceremony attended by Mr. Biden. Instead, Mr. Biden focused on celebrating norms and traditions before taking photos with Peach and delivering a simple, non-political message to attendees.
He expressed that in America, perseverance is key and giving up is not an option. The belief in staying determined and having faith is important.
Zach Montague is a journalist for the Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. You can find out more about Zach Montague by visiting his profile.
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