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President Biden performed the traditional turkey pardon one final time before leaving office. Despite the political context, he took the opportunity to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as president.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys, Peach and Blossom, in a White House ceremony as part of a tradition he has continued during his presidency. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as commander in chief and praised the turkeys for their temperament and commitment to society. This event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and is also Biden’s final time speaking as president during this time. He thanked the audience for the honor of serving as president and expressed his gratitude.
Written by Zach Montague.
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On Monday, President Biden took eight minutes to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the 77-year-old tradition and expressing gratitude to the nation.
During the brief speech, only a few jokes and witty remarks were made to acknowledge Peach and Blossom, two 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 stood next to Peach, whose loud sounds were captured by 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 the last moment.
Mr. Biden shared with the audience at the South Lawn of the White House that he lives by the saying "keep calm and gobble on." He also mentioned the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office, all while wearing his distinctive aviator sunglasses.
The president changed his demeanor to a more somber one to recognize the emotional truth that the holiday season signified the final chapter of his presidency, and potentially the conclusion of his career in public service that has 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," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you that serving as president 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 gathering of 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, including 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.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump hinted at potential changes to norms and traditions in Washington D.C. during his upcoming inauguration. Despite this uncertainty, he left attendees at the ceremony with a straightforward and nonpartisan message.
He expressed the sentiment that Americans always persevere and never lose hope, no matter the circumstances.
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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