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President Biden granted clemency to two turkeys in a traditional Thanksgiving ceremony, marking his final time doing so during his presidency. Despite the political context, the president took the opportunity to express gratitude to the country for allowing him to serve as president.
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President Biden pardoned a pair of turkeys in a traditional ceremony at the White House, expressing thanks for his time as the leader of the country. He mentioned that over the past four years, he has pardoned turkeys named Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, Liberty and Bell, and now Peach and Blossom. He pardoned Peach and Blossom based on their behavior and commitment to society. He also mentioned that this event marks the beginning of the holiday season in Washington and it is his last time speaking as president during this time. Biden expressed gratitude for his time as president and said it has been the greatest honor of his life.
Written by Zach Montague
Providing updates from
President Biden made a brief appearance on Monday to pardon two Thanksgiving turkeys, acknowledging the long-standing tradition of this act and taking a moment to express gratitude to the nation.
During the brief 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 is the official flower of President Biden’s home state.
During the speech, the president stood next to Peach, whose loud gobbling could be heard through the microphone, often drowning out Mr. Biden’s speech and causing the audience to laugh.
"The president mentioned that Peach is making a plea at the last minute," stated the speaker.
During the event on the South Lawn of the White House, Mr. Biden shared that he follows the motto "keep calm and gobble on." He also mentioned the names of the turkeys he had pardoned during his four years in office while wearing his signature aviator sunglasses.
The president’s demeanor became more somber as he recognized the significance of the holiday season signaling the end of his presidency and potentially the conclusion of his long career in public service spanning over five decades.
"This will be my final time speaking as your president during this time, and expressing my thanks and appreciation," stated Mr. Biden. "I want to express that it has been a great honor for me. I will always be thankful."
On Monday, the president and first lady were planning to continue a tradition by serving food at a holiday celebration with Coast Guard members and their families on Staten Island. During this event, Mr. Biden took a moment to honor those who have experienced the loss of loved ones, specifically mentioning his son Beau who passed away from brain cancer in 2015.
He suggested that we take advantage of this moment 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 upcoming changes to the norms and traditions that Mr. Biden valued during his presidency. Despite the uncertainty in the nation’s capital, Mr. Biden left a straightforward and non-political message for attendees at the ceremony.
He expressed the sentiment that Americans always persevere and maintain hope, never giving up in the face of challenges.
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, visit his profile.
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