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Biden, in his final act as president, pardoned turkeys in a light-hearted ceremony as a way to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve. Politics were put aside for this event.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a ceremony at the White House, expressing thanks for his time as commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys that he had pardoned and announced that Peach and Blossom would be pardoned this year based on their behavior and contributions to society. Biden also noted that this event signifies the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed gratitude for his time as president.
Authored by Zach Montague
Updating from the capital
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude for the country.
During the brief speech, only 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 Mr. Biden’s home state.
The president stood next to Peach, a turkey whose loud noises 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," stated the president.
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is to stay calm and enjoy eating, as he wore his usual aviator sunglasses and listed the names of the turkeys he had pardoned during his four years in office.
The president shifted to a more solemn attitude to recognize the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signified the nearing conclusion of his presidency, and potentially the conclusion of his career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This will be the last time I speak as your president during this time of year, and express my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you that it has been the greatest honor of my life. I am thankful forever."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue their tradition of serving food at a holiday gathering with friends. This year, they celebrated 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 remembering his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we take advantage of this moment to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize our families, focusing on what is truly important.
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 celebrated by Mr. Biden during his presidency. Despite the uncertainty in the nation’s capital, Mr. Biden left attendees at the ceremony with a straightforward and nonpartisan message.
He expressed that in America, perseverance is key and giving up is never an option. It is important to keep pushing forward and maintaining belief in oneself.
Zach Montague is a journalist from The Times who reports on news related to the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. Learn more about Zach Montague.
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