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.
Two turkeys are scheduled to be pardoned this week by President Donald Trump, continuing a national tradition that goes back more than 30 years.
Every year, turkeys are formally pardoned by the President of the United States and taken away from the Thanksgiving table and instead sent to farms where they are protected and cared for.
Now, the time for the ceremony is finally approaching. With pardons around the corner and Thanksgiving fast approaching, here’s what you need to know about the event, the turkeys, and their future.
When will the turkey pardon ceremony be held in 2025?
The annual presidential turkey pardon will take place at the White House on Tuesday, November 25th at 2pm ET. The selected turkeys, named Gobble and Waddle, are staying at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel, adjacent to the White House grounds, ahead of the pardon ceremony, according to a press release from the first lady’s office.
Watch President Turkey’s pardon live
USA TODAY will livestream the ceremony on November 25th at 2pm ET. Watch below or on YouTube.
How did the Thanksgiving tradition begin?
The tradition of holding a White House ceremony prior to Thanksgiving began in 1947, when President Harry Truman received a live turkey from the National Turkey Federation, according to the National Archives. The Truman Library suggests that, contrary to reports that he pardoned the turkey, the bird was probably served as dinner.
Over the years, the National Türkiye Federation continues to serve the National Thanksgiving Turkey, which has gone from being an edible bird to being a forgivable bird.
Who was the first president to pardon a turkey?
Presidential turkey pardons have a long history, but the tradition was solidified by President George H.W. Bush, who at a recital in 1989 officially pardoned that year’s turkeys, setting the stage for the annual presidential action we see today. At the unveiling, President Bush declared that the turkey “will not be on anyone’s table except this man — who is offering him a presidential pardon at this time — and will allow him to spend the rest of his life on a children’s farm not far from here.”
How are turkeys selected today? Introducing this year’s birds.
In recent years, the White House has chosen which turkeys will be given as national Thanksgiving turkeys and which will be substitutes, the federation said. The president announces the final selection at a ceremony, but both animals are saved and will be sent to a petting zoo or agricultural center for the rest of their lives.
This year’s turkeys were named Waddle and Gobble after social media users chose them in an online poll conducted by the first lady’s office. University of North Carolina 4H and FFA students were creating a list of possible bird names.
Vote for Turkey in 2025
Voters will be able to vote on which of the two turkeys will officially participate in the pardon ceremony (but both will be pardoned).
You can vote by texting “Gobble” or “Waddle” to 45470. Voting ends on Monday, November 24th at 11:59pm ET.
What will happen to the turkey after it is pardoned?
This year, Gobble and Waddle will be pardoned and return to North Carolina. There, they 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, the press release states.
