Biden to Pardon Turkeys Liberty and Bell at White House
- President Joe Biden presided over the annual White House Thanksgiving tradition of pardoning turkeys, sparing two turkeys named Liberty and Bell.
- The tradition of pardoning turkeys goes back to President Lincoln’s time, became a formal ceremony since President Truman, and was popularized by President Bush in 1989. Past presidents have often made political jokes during this ceremony.
- This year’s pardoned turkeys, Liberty and Bell, were raised in Minnesota and were selected for their extroverted behavior. After the ceremony, they will retire to the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences.
White House hosts annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon
On Monday, President Joe Biden conducted the annual White House Thanksgiving tradition of pardoning turkeys. Liberty and Bell, weighing 42.5 and 42.1 pounds respectively, were given a respite from the oven.
The event, held on the South Lawn of the White House, serves as a platform for the President to crack holiday-themed jokes and express gratitude as the holiday season commences.
“These birds have a new appreciation for the phrase ‘Let freedom ring,’” the President told attendees. He also jokingly expressed awe at the size of the birds before granting them their pardon.
As the holiday approaches, the cost of the average Thanksgiving meal has dropped by approximately 4.5% compared to last year, according to the American Farm Bureau’s annual survey.
The tradition of turkey pardons has roots dating back to the Lincoln administration. However, the first well-documented instance occurred in 1963 under JFK. The tradition was then solidified in 1989 by George H.W. Bush and has since been a staple of the White House holiday season.
Historically, several presidents have incorporated humor and wordplay into their pardons, often tying in topical political issues. For example, after the 2020 midterm elections, Biden joked about a new flock of politicians hoping to join Washington in 2024.
This year’s turkeys, hatched in July, were raised by Jennie-O in Minnesota before making their journey to Washington. Selected for their outgoing behavior, they were exposed to various volumes of music and clapping to prepare for the ceremony.
Upon arrival in Washington, the turkeys were housed at the upscale Willard InterContinental Hotel, adjacent to the White House. They even made a public appearance at a news conference where their names were officially announced.
Following the ceremony, Liberty and Bell will retire to the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences, ensuring they can enjoy their newfound freedom.
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