President Biden gathered with officials and two special guests on the South Lawn of the White House for a time-honored Thanksgiving tradition.
According to Fox News, President Biden performed his final Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony as commander-in-chief on Monday, granting clemency to turkeys named "Peach" and "Blossom" in what he acknowledged would be his last holiday season in office.
The ceremony featured National Turkey Federation chair John Zimmerman and his son Grant, who presented the turkeys for pardoning. Biden took the opportunity to highlight Zimmerman's impressive career, noting that the federation chair has raised more than 4 million turkeys over his 35-year tenure in the industry.
The tradition of presenting turkeys to U.S. presidents dates back to the 1940s when the national turkey lobby first offered a bird to President Truman. However, the formal pardoning ceremony became an annual White House custom under President George H.W. Bush.
During his presidency, Biden has maintained this tradition by pardoning several pairs of turkeys with creative names. Previous pardoned pairs included "Peanut Butter" and "Jelly," "Chocolate" and "Chip," and "Liberty" and "Bell."
The ceremony took place against the backdrop of significant political developments, with Vice President Harris notably absent from the proceedings. Reports indicate she is currently maintaining a low profile in Hawaii following the recent election defeat.
In a poignant moment during the ceremony, Biden shared his thoughts on his tenure as president. He stated:
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 the season. And give thanks and gratitude. So let me say to you, it's been the honor of my life.
The president also spoke about his upcoming Friendsgiving plans with Coast Guard members and their families in Staten Island, New York. He emphasized the importance of showing appreciation for military service members and their sacrifices.
Biden concluded his remarks with a message of unity and resilience, saying:
In America, we never give up. We keep going. We keep the faith. Just remember who we are. We're the United States of America. There's nothing, nothing, nothing beyond our capacity if we do it together.
The 82-year-old president used the ceremony to connect with rural America, referencing his previous visit to Northfield, Minnesota, with Agriculture Secretary Tim Vilsack. The visit included discussions about rural transformation with Minnesota governor Tim Walz, who had unsuccessfully run for vice president alongside Harris.
The pardoning event holds particular significance as it represents one of Biden's final major holiday celebrations as president. Throughout the ceremony, he maintained a tone of gratitude and reflection, acknowledging both the festive nature of the occasion and its bittersweet timing.
The president emphasized the importance of family connections during the holiday season, encouraging Americans to focus on what matters most during this time of year.
President Joe Biden conducted his last Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House on Monday, pardoning turkeys Peach and Blossom in a tradition that has become a cherished part of American holiday celebrations. The event marked a significant moment in Biden's presidency as he prepares to transition out of office, while also serving as a reminder of the enduring nature of White House traditions that transcend individual administrations and political transitions.
