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President Biden Pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys in Farewell Ceremony

In Citizen
November 29, 2024

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President Biden participated in his final turkey pardon ceremony, taking the opportunity to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as president. The event was a light-hearted moment, regardless of any political implications.

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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing thanks for his time as the leader of the country. He mentioned that he has pardoned other turkeys in the past and this year, Peach and Blossom will also be pardoned. He emphasized the importance of the holiday season and expressed his gratitude for being able to serve as president.

Written by Zach Montague

Writing from the capital

On Monday, President Biden took eight minutes to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the 77-year-old tradition and briefly expressing gratitude to the nation.

During the short 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 Mr. Biden’s state.

The president was talking next to Peach, who was making loud noises that could be heard on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing the audience to laugh.

"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this time."

Mr. Biden, wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses, shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is to remain calm and keep eating. He also listed the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.

The president’s demeanor became more somber as he recognized the significance of the holidays signaling the conclusion of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his long career in public service spanning over five decades.

"This is my final speech as your president for this term, and I want to express my thanks and appreciation," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to tell you that serving as your president has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am thankful beyond words."

On Monday, the president and the first lady planned to continue a custom of their own by serving food at a holiday celebration with friends. This year, they celebrated with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During the event, President Biden took a moment 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 should use this opportunity to pause our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.

Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months hinted at significant changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden valued during his time in office. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, President Biden left attendees at the ceremony with a brief and non-political message.

He expressed that no matter the circumstances, Americans always persevere and maintain hope.

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, click here.

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