Washington, DC – President Joe Biden marked the beginning of the holiday season at the White House by granting a traditional reprieve to two turkeys, diverting them from the Thanksgiving table to spend the rest of their days in southern Minnesota. A festive atmosphere enveloped the South Lawn as 2,500 guests gathered under sunny skies, with Biden joking about the fate of the turkeys named “Peach” and “Blossom” and reflecting on the final weeks of his presidency following a long career in Washington.

Acknowledging his upcoming departure on January 20, 2025, Biden expressed gratitude for the honor of serving as President. As the Biden administration’s term comes to an end, the couple’s December schedule is packed with holiday celebrations aimed at bidding farewell to the White House staff, members of Congress, and the press corps.

During the ceremony, Biden entertained the audience with amusing remarks about the pardoned turkeys, known for being named after the official flower of his home state of Delaware. Peach and Blossom, hailing from the farm of John Zimmerman near Northfield, Minnesota, will now reside at Farmamerica, an agricultural educational center in southern Minnesota, after receiving the presidential reprieve.

On the same day, First Lady Jill Biden welcomed the official White House Christmas tree, a majestic 18.5-foot Fraser fir from a farm in North Carolina that persevered through Hurricane Helene. In addition to these festivities, the Bidens attended an evening “Friendsgiving” event in New York and kicked off a series of farewell events in Washington, DC.

At a gala on the South Lawn, the President addressed supporters and staff members, reflecting on his administration’s accomplishments and core values. As the nation prepares for a transition of power, younger Democrats like Governor Wes Moore and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg raised a toast to the President, hinting at the future of the Democratic party.

Throughout these events, the Bidens maintained optimism about America’s future and the nation’s ability to lead on the global stage. Despite political tensions and transitions, the focus remained on celebrating the achievements of the Biden administration and the values they stood for during their time in office.