(The Hill) — President Joe Biden pardoned turkeys Peach and Blossom on Monday for the traditional presidential pardon ahead of Thanksgiving, which marks the start of Biden’s last holiday season at the White House.
“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 am forever thankful,” the president said.
The two turkeys he pardoned will head to the Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center to serve as education ambassadors. They took a two-day trip from Minnesota for the event, which involved listening to “Livin’ on Prayer” on the way, Biden quipped.
“Peach wants to speak a little bit here,” the president joked when the turkey made a bit of noise at the podium.
He said that Peach is 41 pounds and loves to eat hot dish and tater tots and that his dream is to see the Northern Lights.
“He lives by the motto, keep calm and gobble on,” Biden said.
Meanwhile, Blossom loves to eat cheese curds and watch boxing, and his dream is to visit each Minnesota lake.
“Lives by the motto, no foul play, just Minnesota nice,” Biden said of Blossom.
He noted that the previous turkeys he pardoned during his presidency were named Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip and Liberty and Bell.
The president is set to travel to Staten Island later on Monday for a Friendsgiving event with members of the Coast Guard.
“May we use this moment to take time from 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 America, the greatest country on earth,” the president said with the newly pardoned turkeys by his side.
“No matter what, in America, we never give up, we keep going, we keep the faith,” Biden said.
Biden is expected to celebrate Thanksgiving in Nantucket, which is a tradition for the first family.
