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Biden’s Last Turkey Pardon: A Presidential Tradition Comes to an End

In Citizen
November 29, 2024

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President Biden chose to pardon turkeys in a light-hearted ceremony, expressing gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as president one last time. This event was a break from the usual political discussions.

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President Biden pardoned two turkeys during a ceremony at the White House, thanking them for their service as commander in chief. He mentioned that he has continued the tradition of pardoning turkeys over the last four years, including Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, and Liberty and Bell. The turkeys Peach and Blossom were pardoned based on their temperament and commitment to being productive members of society. Biden also remarked that the event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed gratitude for serving as president during this time. He stated that it has been the honor of his life and he is forever grateful.

Written by Zach Montague

Updating from the capital

On Monday, President Biden took eight minutes to officially pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the longstanding 77-year-old tradition and expressing gratitude towards the country.

During the brief speech, a few jokes and witty 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 the state where Mr. Biden is from.

The president addressed the audience next to Peach, whose loud noises were captured by the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the crowd.

"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at the last minute," stated the source.

At the White House’s South Lawn, Mr. Biden shared his motto of "stay calm and keep eating" with the audience, wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses as he listed the names of the turkeys he has pardoned during his four years in office.

The president’s demeanor shifted to a more somber tone as he recognized the significant fact that the holiday season signaled the final days of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his career in public service that spanned over five decades.

"This will be my final opportunity to address you as your president during this time, and express my appreciation," Mr. Biden stated. "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 at a gathering with friends to celebrate the holiday. This year, they were 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 should take advantage of this moment to pause our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.

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 Mr. Biden valued as president. Despite the uncertainty in the nation’s capital, Mr. Biden shared a brief and non-political message with attendees at the ceremony.

"In the United States, we always persevere and stay resilient, no matter the challenges we face," he stated. "We continue to push forward and hold on to hope."

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, visit his profile.

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