President Biden pardoned this year's National Thanksgiving turkeys, Peach and Blossom, on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday. This will be the last time a president will participate in this tradition after taking office.
Biden thanked National Turkey Federation President John Zimmerman and Zimmerman's son Grant for participating in the annual White House tradition.
Biden said the National Turkey Lobby first presented President Truman with a turkey on Thanksgiving in the 1940s, and President George H.W. Bush started the annual tradition of pardoning turkeys.
Biden noted that Zimmerman raised more than 4 million turkeys during his 35-year career. In the past four years, Biden has pardoned other Thanksgiving turkeys named “peanut butter and jelly,” “chocolate” and “chip,” and “Liberty” and “Belle.”
PETA protests Biden Turkey pardon with 'hell on wheels' sign and subliminal message to get people to go vegan
President Biden pardoned the National Thanksgiving Turkey Peach during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday, November 25, 2024, with National Turkey Federation President John Zimmerman and Zimmerman's son Grant. In the photo with (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Biden said in his remarks that Zimmerman's family is from Northfield, Minn., and that the president and Agriculture Secretary Tim Vilsack “joined us with our great friend, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, to come to Minnesota.” “We were talking about going back and transforming rural America,” he said, noting that he visited the area last year. Walz ran for the White House as vice presidential candidate on a ticket with Democratic presidential candidate Harris, but was defeated. Vice President Harris was conspicuously absent from Monday's turkey pardon ceremony.
Biden did not mention Harris, who reportedly kept a low profile with her inner circle and family in Hawaii after her loss to President-elect Trump.
The 82-year-old president used the opportunity to express his gratitude for his tenure.
President Biden speaks during a pardon ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday, November 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Harris disappears from spotlight after election loss, vacations in Hawaii
“This event marks the official start of the holiday season here in Washington. It is also the last time I will speak here as president during the holiday season,” Biden said. “And let me express my gratitude and gratitude. So let me tell you, this has been the honor of my life. Today, my wife Jill and I will be attending Friendsgiving with our members in Staten, New York. The Coast Guard and their families would like to thank them for their service and sacrifice. Like my son, our thoughts also go out to those who have lost so much that there will be an empty seat at the Thanksgiving dinner table tonight. Me, Thursday night. ”
National Thanksgiving Turkey Peach and Blossom before the pardon ceremony at the White House on Monday, November 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“May we all use this moment to take time out of our busy lives and focus on what matters most: our families,” Biden added. “In America, we never give up. We keep going. We keep the faith. Remember who we are. We are the United States of America. We If we do it together, nothing is beyond our capabilities. I'm very happy.'' Thank you, America, and may God protect our troops. ”
