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Biden’s Last Turkey Pardon: A Lighthearted Farewell to the Nation

In Citizen
November 29, 2024

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President Biden pardoned turkeys for the final time during his presidency as a lighthearted gesture, taking the opportunity to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve.

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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony and expressed gratitude for being able to serve as commander in chief. He mentioned that over the last four years, he has had the privilege of pardoning several pairs of turkeys, including Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, and Liberty and Bell. This year, he pardoned Peach and Blossom based on their behavior and commitment to being productive members of society. President Biden also reflected on the significance of the event, stating that it marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and his last address as president during this time. He expressed his gratitude to the audience, saying it has been the honor of his life to serve as president.

Written by Zach Montague

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President Biden made an appearance lasting eight minutes on Monday to grant pardons to two Thanksgiving turkeys. He acknowledged the 77-year-long tradition and took a moment to express gratitude to the nation.

During the brief speech, a few jokes and funny 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 President Biden’s home state.

The president gave a speech next to Peach, a turkey whose loud noises were captured by the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden and causing laughter among the audience.

"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this moment," stated the president.

While standing on the South Lawn of the White House, Mr. Biden shared with the audience his motto of "keep calm and gobble on." He wore his signature aviator sunglasses as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.

The president’s demeanor changed to a more somber one as he recognized that the holiday season signified the nearing conclusion of his presidency, and potentially the end of his career in public service that had spanned over five decades.

"This will be the final time I address you as your president during this time, and express my thanks and appreciation," mentioned 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 the 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 time, 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 should take advantage of this moment to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.

Ignoring the doubts and concerns in Washington D.C., President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration hinted at a potential change in the norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Despite this, President Biden shared a straightforward and non-partisan message with attendees at the ceremony before taking photos with Peach.

He expressed that in America, people never give up and always persevere. They continue to move forward and hold onto their beliefs.

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 on his profile.

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