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President Biden granted clemency to turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Despite political differences, he took the chance to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to lead.
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President Biden pardoned two turkeys at the White House ceremony, continuing the tradition of granting clemency to these birds. He expressed his gratitude for being able to serve as commander in chief and mentioned the previous turkeys he had pardoned during his presidency. This year, the turkeys named Peach and Blossom were pardoned based on their temperament and commitment to being productive members of society. President Biden noted that this event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and expressed his gratitude for being able to serve as president. He closed by saying it has been the honor of his life and he is forever grateful.
Written by Zach Montague
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President Biden made an appearance on Monday that lasted eight minutes to grant pardons to two Thanksgiving turkeys. He acknowledged the 77-year-old tradition and took a brief moment to express gratitude for the country.
During the brief speech, a few jokes 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 President Biden’s home state.
The president stood next to Peach, whose loud 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 plea at the last minute.
Mr. Biden shared with the crowd on the South Lawn of the White House that he follows the motto ‘keep calm and gobble on’. He was wearing his signature aviator sunglasses as he listed off the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office.
The president shifted to a more somber mood to recognize the emotional truth that the holiday season signified 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 thanks and appreciation," Mr. Biden stated. "I want to convey to you that serving as president has been a great privilege for me. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady had plans to continue a tradition of serving food to friends celebrating the holiday together. This year, they were with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During this event, President Biden also took the time to honor those who have lost loved ones, including his 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.
Despite the uncertainty in Washington D.C., President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration hinted at potential changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Before taking photos with Peach, he left those at the ceremony with a straightforward and non-political message.
He expressed that in America, we always persevere and never lose hope. We continue to push 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. To learn more about Zach Montague, click here.
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