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Biden granted clemency to turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Despite political differences, the president took the opportunity during a playful ceremony to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys during a traditional White House ceremony, expressing gratitude for his time as commander in chief. He mentioned that over the past four years, he had pardoned several other turkey pairs, and now Peach and Blossom will also be pardoned based on their behavior and contribution to society. This event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and also serves as Biden’s final speech as president during this time. He thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve as president and expressed his eternal gratitude.
Authored by Zach Montague
Broadcasting live from
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing tradition that is 77 years old. He also took a moment to express gratitude to the country.
During the brief speech, only a few jokes and witty remarks were made to acknowledge Peach and Blossom, two birds weighing over 40 pounds each. They were named after Delaware’s peach blossoms, which are the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
The president stood next to Peach, whose loud gobbling was captured by the microphone, often overpowering Mr. Biden’s speech and causing laughter among the audience.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request at this moment," stated the president.
Mr. Biden shared with spectators on the South Lawn of the White House that his motto is to remain calm and enjoy eating. He also mentioned the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office, all while wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses.
The president’s demeanor changed to become more serious as he recognized the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signaled the conclusion of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his long career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This will be the final time I address you as your president during this time, and express my appreciation and thanks," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to tell you that it has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am thankful forever."
On Monday, the president and first lady had plans to continue a 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 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 take a break from our hectic schedules to prioritize our families.
The future inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump in two months created a sense of uncertainty in the nation’s capital. Mr. Biden, who often praised certain norms and traditions as president, delivered a brief and non-political message to attendees at the ceremony before taking photos with Peach.
He expressed that in America, we always persevere and stay determined. We continue to have hope and never give up.
Zach Montague is a journalist for the Times who reports on news related to the U.S. Department of Education, the White House, and federal courts. To learn more about Zach Montague, visit his profile on the
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