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President Biden granted clemency to turkeys for the final time during his presidency. Putting politics aside, he took the opportunity during a light-hearted ceremony to express gratitude to the nation for allowing him to serve as president.
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President Biden has officially pardoned two turkeys in a ceremony at the White House, continuing a tradition that he has upheld during his presidency. He expressed his gratitude for being the commander in chief and announced that the turkeys, Peach and Blossom, will now be free birds in the United States. This event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and President Biden’s last time speaking as president during this season. He expressed his thanks and gratitude for the opportunity to serve as president.
Authored by Zach Montague
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On Monday, President Biden made a brief appearance lasting eight minutes to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys. He mentioned the 77-year-old tradition and took a moment to express gratitude to the country.
During the brief speech, a few jokes and funny comments 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 President Biden’s home state.
The president stood next to Peach, whose loud noises could be heard through the microphone, often interrupting Mr. Biden’s speech and causing the audience to laugh.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a final request," stated in the text.
On the South Lawn of the White House, Mr. Biden shared with the crowd his motto of staying calm and enjoying life, while also listing the names of the turkeys he pardoned during his four years in office, all while wearing his iconic aviator sunglasses.
The president shifted his demeanor to a more somber one to recognize the bittersweet truth that the holiday season signified the conclusion of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his lengthy career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This will be my final speech as your president during this time, where I express my appreciation and thanks," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to express that it has been the greatest honor of my life. I am eternally thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady had plans to continue their tradition of serving food at a holiday gathering with friends. This year, they were with members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. During this tradition, President Biden took a moment to honor those who have lost family members, specifically remembering 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 and focus on what is most important.
Despite the uncertainty in Washington D.C., President-elect Donald J. Trump’s upcoming inauguration hinted at significant changes to the norms and traditions that President Biden valued. Before taking photos with Peach, he shared a straightforward and non-political message with attendees at the ceremony.
He stated that in America, people never give up and always persevere. They continue to move forward and stay hopeful.
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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