The traditional White House turkey pardoning ceremony took an unexpectedly serious tone as President Joe Biden approached his last Thanksgiving in office.
According to the New York Post, President Biden granted clemency to two turkeys named Peach and Blossom during an unusually somber pre-Thanksgiving ceremony. His son, Hunter Biden, facing legal troubles, remains at the White House awaiting potential pardon decisions.
The 82-year-old president maintained a notably reserved demeanor throughout the event, departing from the customary light-hearted atmosphere that typically characterizes the annual turkey pardon.
His prepared remarks contained minimal jokes or humorous commentary about current events, marking a significant shift from previous years' celebrations.
The ceremony drew approximately 2,500 attendees to the White House lawn, where Biden's only attempt at humor came through his encouragement for the crowd to "keep calm and gobble on."
The event's subdued nature reflected the weight of various circumstances, including the ongoing discussion about clemency for federal marijuana inmates and his son's legal challenges.
President Biden delivered a poignant closing statement that emphasized the significance of the moment. As he addressed the crowd, he stated:
Let me close on a more serious note. 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'm forever grateful.
The ceremony's timing coincides with Hunter Biden's extended presence at the White House following his conviction on three drug-related gun felonies in June and subsequent guilty plea to tax fraud in September.
The situation surrounding potential pardons has become increasingly complex, with both current and future implications for the Biden administration. Despite previous statements ruling out pardoning Hunter, speculation continues about the president's potential use of clemency powers.
In an unexpected development, President-elect Donald Trump has expressed openness to pardoning Hunter Biden, viewing it as a way to move past the political controversy. Trump's perspective adds another layer to the ongoing discussion about Hunter's legal fate.
The administration faces additional pressure regarding its unfulfilled 2019 campaign promise to release an estimated 2,000 federal marijuana inmates, creating a parallel narrative about presidential pardons and clemency.
Following the turkey pardon, the First Family's schedule includes a "Friendsgiving" event with the Coast Guard on Staten Island. The Bidens will then continue their tradition of spending the holiday at billionaire David Rubenstein's compound on Nantucket island, marking their fourth consecutive year at this location.
This subdued ceremony, featuring the pardoning of turkeys Peach and Blossom, highlights the complex interplay between presidential traditions and personal challenges facing the Biden family. As the president approaches his final year in office, the future remains uncertain regarding potential pardons and clemency decisions that could impact both his son and thousands of federal inmates.
