Every Thanksgiving the U.S. president takes part in a lighthearted ceremony that spares one (or two) turkeys from the holiday table. The “turkey pardon” is ceremonial rather than legal, and its persistence reflects a mix of history, symbolism, public relations and politics.
How the tradition began
The roots of the custom stretch back to 19th‑century anecdotes—most famously a story about Abraham Lincoln’s son pleading for a turkey’s life. Through the 20th century, sending turkeys to the White House became common: civic groups and the poultry industry presented birds as gifts. By the late 20th century, the event evolved into an annual, staged ritual. The modern framing of the president “pardoning” a turkey was popularized in the late 1980s and has been repeated as an annual White House photo opportunity ever since.
Who provides the turkeys
The National Turkey Federation (NTF) is the organization most often associated with the presentation. Each year the NTF selects and presents two turkeys—often named for media appeal—and the administration announces which bird will be spared. The turkeys are domesticated Broad Breasted Whites bred by the industry for size and appearance.
Why presidents do it
– Symbolism and tradition: Thanksgiving is a national holiday tied to gratitude and family. The turkey ceremony taps into those themes in a warm, nonpolitical way.
– Humanizing the presidency: Light rituals and playful photo ops show a relaxed side of the president and provide a respite from weighty news.
– Media attention: The event generates predictable, positive coverage at a slow news moment, giving the administration a brief spotlight.
– Industry outreach: The turkey industry benefits from public awareness; the NTF and turkey farmers gain visibility and goodwill.
– Public engagement: The ceremony often includes students, service members, or charity groups, linking the holiday’s goodwill to civic participation.
What the pardon actually means
Legally, nothing significant—presidential pardon power applies to federal criminal offenses, not to farm animals. The turkey “pardon” is purely symbolic and ceremonial. There is no legal proceeding to halt.
What happens to the turkeys afterward
Despite occasional jokes about an afterlife in Disneyland or as a pet, most spared turkeys are sent to farms, university agricultural programs, historical sites, or sanctuaries where they live out their lives. The White House typically coordinates placement in advance so the birds will receive proper care.
Criticism and debate
The ceremony has critics. Animal‑welfare advocates sometimes object to the breeding and keeping conditions of commercial turkeys or to using animals for publicity. Others view the event as trivial political theater that distracts from more substantive issues. Still, the ceremony endures because it is approachable, repeatable and broadly noncontroversial for much of the public.
In short
The presidential turkey pardon is a modern, symbolic ritual built on older customs. It blends history, holiday symbolism, media spectacle and industry tradition into a brief, annual event designed to entertain, humanize the president and celebrate Thanksgiving.
