Biden pardons Peach and Blossom at the annual White House turkey pardon

Washington
CNN
—

President Joe Biden exercised his presidential pardon power in the waning days of his term in office Monday, granting clemency to a few lucky turkeys and kicking off the holiday season.

“Based on their temperament and commitment to being productive members of society, I hereby pardon Peach and Blossom,” Biden said at a ceremony on the White House South Lawn.

Weighing 41 and 40 pounds, respectively, “Peach” and “Blossom” were hatched in Minnesota and rode the gravy train to Washington over the weekend. They spent their young lives training for their pardon and getting used to loud noises, large crowds and bright lights.

Still, Peach ruffled some feathers and let out a few stray squawks, interrupting the president, who pleaded with the birds to “keep calm and swallow on.”

Biden later struck a more serious tone at his fourth and final turkey pardon as he reflected on his more than half a century of public service.

“It is also my last time to speak here as your president during the season and thank and thank. Let me tell you: It has been the honor of my life. I am eternally grateful,” he told a crowd of cabinet members, staff and local students.

He continued: “May we take this moment to take time out of our busy lives and focus on what matters most: our families … our friends and our neighbors, and the fact that we are blessed to live in the United States , the greatest country on earth.”

The president and first lady will travel to the New York area later Monday for a “friendsgiving” dinner with troops and are expected to spend the holiday with family on Nantucket.

And now, spared from the Thanksgiving table, Peach and Blossom will soon retire to Minnesota’s Farmamerica, a learning center where they will be poultry ambassadors for agriculture students.