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President Biden performed the annual tradition of pardoning turkeys for the last time during his term. Putting politics aside, he expressed gratitude to the nation during the lighthearted ceremony for allowing him the chance 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 pardoning other turkeys in the past and announced that Peach and Blossom would be the latest turkeys to be pardoned. Biden also acknowledged that the event marked the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and thanked the American people for their support during his presidency.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the capital
On Monday, President Biden made an appearance that lasted eight minutes to officially pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys. He briefly mentioned the 77-year-old tradition and took a moment to express gratitude to the country.
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 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 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 this moment," he said.
Mr. Biden shared with the audience at the White House’s South Lawn that his motto is "keep calm and gobble on." He was wearing his signature aviator sunglasses as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president’s tone became more serious as he acknowledged the bittersweet reality that the holiday season signaled the nearing end of his presidency and potentially his long career in public service.
"This marks the final time I will address you as your president during this period, and express my appreciation and thanks," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to convey that it has been the greatest honor of my life. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue their tradition of 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 time to honor those who have lost loved ones, including his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He expressed the importance of pausing our hectic schedules to prioritize our families in this moment.
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 frequently praised during his time in office. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, President Biden shared a straightforward and non-political message with those at the ceremony.
He expressed that in America, perseverance is key and we always stay determined and have faith, no matter what challenges we face.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The Times who reports on the activities of the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. To learn more about Zach Montague, click here.
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