Prom
Backed by
President Biden chose to pardon turkeys for the final time during his term as president. Putting political differences aside, he used the playful event as a way to express gratitude to the country for allowing him the chance to serve as president.
written record of
President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a White House ceremony and expressed his gratitude for serving as the president. 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 time, he pardoned Peach and Blossom. He also noted that this event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and it was his last time speaking as president during this season. Biden expressed his gratitude and said it was an honor to serve as president.
Written by Zach Montague
Updating from the capital
On Monday, President Biden made an appearance that lasted eight minutes to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys. He briefly mentioned the 77-year-old tradition and took a moment to express gratitude to the country.
The short speech, containing only a few witty remarks, honored Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each, named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, which are the official flower of Mr. Biden’s state.
The president stood next to Peach, whose loud gobbling could be heard on 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 this time."
During an event on the South Lawn of the White House, Mr. Biden shared that he follows the motto "keep calm and gobble on." He wore his signature aviator sunglasses as he listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his time in office.
The president changed his tone to a more serious one to recognize the emotional reality that the holidays signified the conclusion of his presidency and potentially the end of his career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This is the final opportunity for me to address you as your president during this time and express my appreciation," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to convey that serving as your president has been the greatest honor of my life. I am eternally thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady had plans to continue a tradition of 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 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 take a break from our hectic schedules and prioritize our families during this moment.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s inauguration in two months hinted at a potential disruption of the norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, President Biden shared a straightforward and non-political message with attendees at the ceremony.
He expressed that in America, people never give up and always persevere. The speaker emphasized the importance of continuing on and holding onto hope.
Zach Montague is a journalist for the Times who focuses on reporting about the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. To learn more about Zach Montague, click here.
Prom
Index of the Website
Navigation for Information on the