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Biden, in his final term as President, pardoned turkeys as a tradition. Despite the political context, he took the opportunity during the light-hearted ceremony to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a White House ceremony, expressing gratitude for his time as commander in chief. He mentioned that over the past four years, he has pardoned several pairs of turkeys, and this year, Peach and Blossom are the lucky ones. He pardoned them based on their behavior and their potential to contribute positively to society. This event also marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and serves as Biden’s final speech 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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President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing tradition that is 77 years old and taking a moment to express gratitude for 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. They were named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, which are the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president gave a speech next to Peach, whose loud gobbling could be 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 at this moment," he stated.
During an event on the South Lawn of the White House, Mr. Biden shared that he follows the motto of staying calm and enjoying every moment. He also mentioned the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office, all while wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses.
The president adopted a more solemn demeanor to recognize the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signaled the conclusion of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his career in public service spanning over five decades.
"I am also speaking here as your president for the last time this season to express my gratitude and thanks," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you that it has been the greatest honor of my life. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue a tradition of serving food to friends at a holiday gathering, this time with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During this event, President Biden took the time to honor those who have lost loved ones, including his own son Beau, who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we take a break from our hectic schedules to 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 President Biden valued. Despite the uncertainty in the nation’s capital, President Biden left attendees at the ceremony with a straightforward and non-political message.
He expressed that in America, we always persevere and never give up. We continue to move forward and maintain our belief and trust in ourselves and the future.
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, please visit his profile.
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