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President Biden spared two turkeys from being slaughtered for Thanksgiving in a traditional ceremony. Regardless of political views, he expressed gratitude towards the country for allowing him to be their leader.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys in a traditional ceremony at the White House, expressing his thanks for being the leader of the country. He mentioned past turkeys that he had pardoned and announced that Peach and Blossom would also be pardoned this year. The event signifies the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and was Biden’s final time speaking as president during this time. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity 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 expressing gratitude to the country in a brief reflection.
During a brief speech, a few jokes and remarks were made to acknowledge Peach and Blossom, two 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 could be heard on the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden and causing the audience to laugh.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a plea at the last minute."
At the South Lawn of the White House, Mr. Biden shared with the crowd his motto of "keep calm and gobble on," as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office, all while wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses.
The president shifted to a more solemn tone to recognize the bittersweet fact that the holiday season signaled the conclusion of his presidency and potentially his retirement from public service after over five decades.
"This is the final time I will address you as your president during this time, and express my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to tell you that it has been the greatest privilege of my life. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady planned to continue their 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 a moment to honor those who have experienced the loss of a family member, specifically mentioning his late son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we take a break from our hectic schedules and prioritize our families during this moment.
Before taking photos with Peach, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration in two months hinted at a potential change in the norms and traditions that Mr. Biden cherished as president. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, Mr. Biden left those at the ceremony with a straightforward and nonpartisan message.
He stated that in America, we always persevere no matter what obstacles come our way. We continue to move forward and hold onto our beliefs.
Zach Montague is a journalist for The Times who reports on the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. Learn more about Zach Montague.
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