Explaining the history of Turkish presidential pardons
Turkish presidential pardons have existed in various forms since the 1860s and became an official event in 1989.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to formally pardon two turkeys at the White House at noon Tuesday as part of the annual turkey pardon that has become a Thanksgiving tradition.
Mr. Gobble and Mr. Waddle, both from North Carolina, will each receive presidential pardons, but only one will participate in the formal ceremony where President Trump is expected to make some comments.
After the ceremony, the two turkeys will spend the rest of their lives under the care of North Carolina State University’s Pre-Poultry Sciences Division in Raleigh, where they will receive dedicated housing, daily care and veterinary services, according to a press release from the first lady’s office.
The pardon tradition officially began in 1989 with President George H.W. Bush’s presentation. The president declared that the turkey “doesn’t belong on anyone’s table, this guy is no good – he’s offering a presidential pardon for now – and he’s going to let him spend the rest of his life on a children’s farm not far from here.”
Since then, 60 turkeys have been pardoned and will no longer be on the Thanksgiving dinner table. This year, Americans are participating in the tradition by choosing the names of turkeys that will be pardoned. Mr. Goble and Mr. Waddle’s names were chosen in an online vote conducted on social media by the first lady’s office.
