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President Biden issued a pardon for turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Putting political differences aside, he used the light-hearted event to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as president.
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President Biden pardoned a pair of 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 be pardoned this year based on their good behavior and contributions to society. Biden also noted that the event marked the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed his gratitude for serving as president. He concluded by saying it had been an honor and he was thankful.
Written by Zach Montague
Writing from the capital
President Biden made an appearance that lasted for eight minutes on Monday to officially pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys. He acknowledged the 77-year-old tradition and took a brief moment to express gratitude for the country.
During the short speech, a few jokes and clever remarks were made to honor 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 home state.
The president stood next to Peach, whose loud noises were heard through the microphone, constantly interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a plea at the last minute," was stated.
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that he follows the motto of staying calm and enjoying the moment. He was wearing his usual aviator sunglasses as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his time in office.
The president adopted a more solemn demeanor to recognize the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signaled the approaching conclusion of his presidency, and potentially the conclusion of his career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This will be my final speech as your president during this time, where I express my gratitude and thanks," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to tell you that serving as your president has been the greatest privilege of my life. I will always be thankful."
Later on Monday, the president and the first lady had plans to continue a tradition of their own by helping serve food at a holiday celebration with friends. This year, they were sharing the holiday with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During this gathering, 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 should take this opportunity 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 hinted at major changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden cherished during his time in office. Despite the uncertainty in Washington, President Biden left attendees with a straightforward and non-political message at the ceremony.
He expressed that in America, perseverance is key and we always continue moving forward with faith.
Zach Montague is a journalist for the Times who reports on topics such as the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. You can find out more about Zach Montague by visiting his profile
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