16 views 4 mins 0 comments

President Biden Pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys in Final Presidential Tradition

In Citizen
November 29, 2024

Prom

Backed by

Biden granted clemency to turkeys as a tradition for the final time during his presidency. Putting political differences aside, the president used the playful event to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve.

written record of

Biden pardons the final turkeys of his presidency in a traditional White House ceremony, expressing thanks for his time as commander in chief. He has continued the tradition of pardoning turkeys over the last four years, including Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, Liberty and Bell. Today, Peach and Blossom are the newest pardoned turkeys, chosen for their behavior and dedication to society. This event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and also serves as President Biden’s final speech during this time, where he expresses his gratitude and thanks for the opportunity to serve as president.

Authored by Zach Montague

Reporting live from the

President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the longstanding 77-year-old tradition and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.

The short speech, containing only a few jokes and funny remarks, acknowledged 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 speaking next to Peach, whose loud gobbling noises were captured by the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the audience.

"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final appeal," stated the president.

Mr. Biden shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House his motto of "stay calm and gobble on." He was wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.

The president changed his tone to a more solemn one to recognize the significant fact that the holidays signaled the final phase of his presidency, and potentially the conclusion of his long career in public service spanning over five decades.

"This is my final time addressing you as your president at this time of year, and expressing my appreciation and thanks," stated Mr. Biden. "So I want to tell you, it has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am eternally thankful."

On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue their tradition of serving food at a holiday gathering with friends, this time with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During this 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 seize this opportunity to pause from our hectic schedules and prioritize our families.

Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump left attendees at the ceremony with a straightforward and nonpartisan message, hinting at potential changes to established norms and traditions in the nation’s capital. This uncertainty surrounding Trump’s upcoming inauguration contrasted with the values often championed by Mr. Biden during his presidency.

He expressed the idea that in America, people always persevere and never give up. He emphasized the importance of continuing on and maintaining faith.

Zach Montague is a journalist for The Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. For additional information about Zach Montague, please refer to his bio.

Prom

Index of Pages

Navigation for Site Information