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President Biden granted clemency to turkeys for the final time during his term. Despite political differences, he took the chance during a light-hearted event to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve as president.
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During a ceremony at the White House, President Biden pardoned two turkeys as part of a tradition, thanking them for their service. He mentioned that in the past four years, he had pardoned other turkeys named Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, Liberty and Bell. This year, the turkeys Peach and Blossom were pardoned based on their behavior and contributions to society. President Biden also noted that this event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as president. He thanked the audience for their support, stating that it has been the greatest honor of his life.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the nation
On Monday, President Biden made an appearance that lasted eight minutes to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys. He mentioned the 77-year-old tradition briefly and took a moment to reflect and express gratitude to the country.
During the brief speech, only a few jokes and witty remarks were made to acknowledge Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each, named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president stood next to Peach, whose loud turkey noises were heard on the microphone, frequently interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request," stated the president.
Mr. Biden shared with spectators on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is to stay calm and enjoy eating, all while wearing his recognizable aviator sunglasses and listing the names of the turkeys he has pardoned during his four years in office.
The president’s demeanor became more somber as he recognized the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signified the final stretch of his time in office, and could potentially signal the conclusion of his decades-long career in public service.
"This will be the final time I address you as your president during this term, and express my appreciation," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to convey that it has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am eternally thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady had plans to continue a tradition by serving food at a holiday celebration 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 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 inauguration in two months hinted at changes to the norms and traditions that Mr. Biden cherished as president. Despite the uncertainty in the nation’s capital, Mr. Biden left attendees at the ceremony with a straightforward and non-political message.
He expressed the idea that Americans always persevere and never lose hope, no matter what challenges they face. They continue moving forward and holding 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. To learn more about Zach Montague, click here.
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