President Joe Biden flew to Nantucket with first lady Jill Biden on Tuesday, leaving behind a sleepy Washington with lawmakers home for the Thanksgiving recess.
But before he left, Biden took part in the annual turkey pardoning on the South Lawn of the White House. The president spared Chocolate and Chip, two turkeys named after his favorite flavor of ice cream.
The same day, Jill Biden, joined by grandson Beau, received the White House Christmas tree, brought to their residence via a horse-drawn carriage.
It’s been an eventful month for the family. Biden, the oldest president in U.S. history, turned 80 this week, a milestone they celebrated with a Sunday brunch. The day before, Biden and first lady Jill hosted the wedding of their granddaughter, Naomi Biden, at the White House.
The president is still celebrating a better-than-expected outcome in the midterm elections on Nov. 8, with Democrats maintaining the Senate and holding Republicans to a razor-thin majority in the lower chamber.
“The votes are in, they’ve been counted and verified, no ballot stuffing, no fowl play,” Biden joked during the pardoning ceremony. “The only red wave this season is going to be if German shepherd Commander knocks over the cranberry sauce.”
Speculation is growing over whether Biden will run for a second term after he told reporters he would weigh the decision with his family over the holidays.
“He’s going to have a private conversation with his family. I am certainly not going to lay out what that conversation could look like or potentially be,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday.
Joe and Jill Biden plan to return from Nantucket on Sunday. The trip is one the couple has made each Thanksgiving for decades.
Here’s a look at scenes from around Washington the week of Nov. 21, captured by Washington Examiner photographer Graeme Jennings.
Joe Biden pardons two turkeys, Chocolate and Chip, for Thanksgiving
A horse-drawn carriage delivers the White House Christmas tree
Joe and Jill Biden depart the South Lawn of the White House, heading for Marine One
Anthony Fauci delivers his final White House briefing on COVID-19
