President Biden pardoned turkeys Peach and Blossom in a traditional presidential pardon ahead of Thanksgiving, the start of Biden's final holiday season in the White House.
“This event marks the official start of the holiday season here in Washington. It's also the last time I'll be speaking here as president this season to express my gratitude. So I want to say to you all, This is the honor of my life and I am forever grateful,” the President said.
The two turkeys he pardoned will go to the Minnesota Agricultural Interpretation Center as educational ambassadors. They made the two-day trip from Minnesota for the event and listened to “Livin' on Prayer” along the way, Biden quipped.
When the turkey made a few noises at the podium, the president joked, “Peach wants to talk a little bit here.”
He said Peach weighs 41 pounds, loves hot food and eating tater tots, and dreams of seeing the Northern Lights.
“He lives by the motto of keep calm and eat big,” Biden said.
Meanwhile, Blossom loves eating cheese curds and watching boxing, and his dream is to visit each lake in Minnesota.
Biden said Blossom “lives by the motto of no foul play, just being kind and Minnesotan.”
He noted that the names of previous turkeys he pardoned while president were “Peanut Butter & Jelly,” “Chocolate & Chip,” and “Liberty & Belle.”
The president is scheduled to head to Staten Island later Monday for a Friendship event with members of the Coast Guard.
“May we use this moment to step away from our busy lives and focus on what is most important to us: our family, friends, and neighbors. And the fact that we're blessed,” the president said while flanked by the newly pardoned turkey.
“No matter what happens, in America we will never give up, we will keep moving forward and we will keep our faith,” Biden said.
Mr. Biden is expected to celebrate Thanksgiving on Nantucket, a tradition of his first family.
