Prom
Backed by
President Biden granted clemency to two turkeys in a traditional ceremony, marking his final time doing so as president. Regardless of political beliefs, the president took the opportunity to express gratitude to the American people for allowing him to serve in office.
document containing a
President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing gratitude for his time as commander in chief. He mentioned past turkeys he had pardoned and announced that Peach and Blossom would now join the ranks of pardoned turkeys in the United States. This event also marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and Biden’s last time speaking as president during this time. He expressed gratitude and thanks for his time in office, calling it the honor of his life.
Authored by Zach Montague
Reporting live from the
President Biden made an appearance on Monday that lasted eight minutes to officially pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys. He acknowledged the 77-year-old tradition and took a moment to express gratitude for the country.
The brief speech contained only a few jokes and remarks, acknowledging Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each, named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, the official flower of President Biden’s state of residence.
The president gave a speech next to a turkey named Peach, whose loud noises could be heard on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden and causing the audience to laugh.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final appeal," stated the president.
At the South Lawn of the White House, Mr. Biden shared with observers that he follows the motto of "stay calm and keep eating." He wore his usual aviator sunglasses as he listed the names of the turkeys he had pardoned during his four years in office.
The president’s demeanor shifted to a more somber one as he recognized the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signified the conclusion of his presidency and potentially the end of his long career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This will be the final time I address you as your president during this time, and express my appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to express that it has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am always thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned 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 the event, President Biden took time 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 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’s inauguration in two months indicated potential changes to the norms and traditions often praised 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 Americans always persevere and never give up, constantly pushing forward with unwavering belief and determination.
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, visit his profile on The Times website.
Prom
Index of the Website
Navigation for Site Information