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Biden Pardons Turkeys for the Last Time as President
Setting aside politics, the president used the lighthearted ceremony to thank the nation one more time for the opportunity to serve.
transcript
Biden Pardons the Last Turkeys of His Presidency
President Biden, granting clemency to a pair of turkeys in an annual White House ceremony, expressed gratitude for serving as commander in chief.
In the last four years, I’ve had the honor to continue that tradition by pardoning Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, Liberty and Bell. And today, Peach and Blossom will join the free birds of the United States of America. Based on your temperament and commitment to being productive members of society, I hereby pardon Peach and Blossom. [cheers] Let me close on a more serious note. This event marks the official start of the holiday season here in Washington. It’s also my last time to speak here as your president during this season and give thanks and gratitude. So let me say to you, it’s been the honor of my life. I’m forever grateful.
Reporting from Washington
President Biden appeared for eight minutes on Monday to extend pardons to a pair of Thanksgiving turkeys, with a quick nod to the 77-year-old tradition and a brief moment of reflection to give thanks to the country.
The concise speech, which included just a handful of quips and gags, recognized Peach and Blossom, two 40-plus-pound birds named in recognition of Delaware’s peach blossoms, the official flower of Mr. Biden’s home state.
The president spoke beside Peach, whose gobbles were picked up over the microphone, repeatedly overtaking Mr. Biden’s words and drawing laughs from attendees.
“Peach is making a last-minute plea here,” the president said.
“He lives by the motto ‘keep calm and gobble on,’” Mr. Biden told onlookers on the South Lawn of the White House, sporting signature aviators while reeling off the names of the birds he pardoned over four years.
The president quickly took a more serious tone to acknowledge the poignant reality that the arrival of the holidays marked the end stage of his presidency, and quite possibly the end of his time in public service after more than 50 years.
“It’s also my last time to speak here as your president during this season, and give thanks and gratitude,” Mr. Biden said. “So let me say to you, it’s been the honor of my life. I’m forever grateful.”
Later on Monday, the president and the first lady were scheduled to repeat a tradition of their own, serving food at a gathering of friends celebrating the holiday together, this year among members of the Coast Guard and their families on Staten Island. And as part of that ritual, Mr. Biden took a moment to recognize those who have lost family members, paying homage to his son Beau, who died of brain cancer in 2015.
“May we use this moment to take time from our busy lives and focus on what matters most: our families,” he said.
Without addressing the uncertainty swirling around the nation’s capital, as President-elect Donald J. Trump’s inauguration in two months foreshadowed a shake-up of many of the norms and traditions that Mr. Biden often celebrated as president, he left attendees at the ceremony with a simple and apolitical message before posing for photos with Peach.
“No matter what, in America we never give up,” he said. “We keep going. We keep the faith.”
Zach Montague is a Times reporter covering the U.S. Department of Education, the White House and federal courts. More about Zach Montague
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