Prom
Backed by
President Biden participated in a traditional ceremony where he officially pardoned two turkeys, marking the last time he will do so during his presidency. Putting politics aside, the president took the opportunity to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as president one last time.
document containing a
President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional ceremony at the White House, expressing his gratitude for being the leader of the country. He mentioned that he has pardoned other turkeys in the past four years and today, Peach and Blossom are the lucky ones. He pardoned them based on their behavior and commitment to being good members of society. Biden also mentioned that this event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and it is his last time speaking as president during this time. He thanked everyone for their support and said it has been the greatest honor of his life.
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.
During a brief speech, a few jokes and humorous 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 state.
The president addressed the audience next to Peach, whose loud gobbling could be heard on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the crowd.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a last-minute request," was stated.
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that he follows the motto "keep calm and gobble on." He wore his famous aviator sunglasses as he listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president shifted to a more somber mood to recognize the significant truth that the upcoming holidays signified the final stretch of his presidency, and potentially the conclusion of his long career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This will be the final time I address you as your president during this time, and express my appreciation and thanks," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to convey to you that serving as president has been the greatest honor of my life. I am eternally thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue a tradition by 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 event, President Biden honored those who have lost loved ones, specifically mentioning his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He expressed the importance of taking a break from our hectic schedules to prioritize our families.
Despite the uncertainty in Washington D.C., President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration suggests significant changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Before taking photos with Peach, he gave attendees at the ceremony a straightforward and non-political message.
He expressed that in America, people never lose hope and always persevere, no matter what challenges they face. They continue to push forward and maintain their belief in a positive outcome.
Zach Montague is a journalist from The 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
Index of Pages
Navigation for Site Information
