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In a non-political gesture, President Biden pardoned turkeys for the final time during his presidency. During the lighthearted ceremony, he expressed gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as president one last time.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a ceremony at the White House, expressing his gratitude for being able to serve as president. He mentioned previous turkeys he had pardoned and announced that Peach and Blossom would be pardoned this year based on their behavior and contributions to society. Biden remarked that this event signals the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and that it is his last time speaking as president during this time. He thanked the audience for the honor of serving as president and expressed his eternal gratitude.
Authored by Zach Montague
Updating from the nation
On Monday, President Biden spent eight minutes granting pardons to two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the 77-year-old tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During the brief speech, only a few jokes and witty comments were made to acknowledge Peach and Blossom, two large birds weighing over 40 pounds each, named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, which are the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president was talking next to Peach, whose loud noises were captured by the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter from the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this moment," stated the president.
Mr. Biden shared with the audience on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is "keep calm and gobble on." He was wearing his signature aviators as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president shifted to a more somber tone to recognize the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signaled the final stretch of his presidency, and potentially the conclusion of his career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This is the final time I will be addressing you all as your president during this period, and I want to express my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you that serving as your president has been the greatest honor of my life. I am thankful beyond words."
On Monday, the president and his wife were planning to continue their tradition of serving food at a holiday gathering with friends. This year, they were celebrating 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, specifically mentioning his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we take advantage of this moment to pause our hectic schedules and prioritize the most important thing in our lives: our families.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months hinted at major changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden valued during his time in office. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, President Biden delivered a straightforward and non-political message to those present at the ceremony.
He expressed that in America, people always persevere and never lose hope. They continue to move forward and hold onto their beliefs.
Zach Montague is a journalist at 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.
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