Turkey Pardon Ceremony and Holiday Traditions at the White House

During a recent press briefing, White House press secretary Caroline Levitt introduced Waddle, one of the turkeys set to be pardoned by President Donald Trump. This ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, is a part of the nation’s Thanksgiving traditions.

A representative from the National Turkey Federation shared that Waddle tips the scales at over 50 pounds. Reporters quizzed Waddle on various topics, surprisingly, everything from the ongoing Ukraine peace efforts to queries about any past transgressions needing a pardon.

Following their pardon, Waddle and his companion Gobble will head to North Carolina State University, where they will serve as “Turkish ambassadors” for the National Turkey Federation.

Thanksgiving week at the White House is set to include beloved traditions, such as the annual turkey pardoning and the arrival of the official Christmas tree, signaling the start of the festive season at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The First Lady, Melania Trump, conducted a poll on social media to determine the names of this year’s turkeys, which resulted in Waddle and Gobble.

Last year’s turkeys, named “Peach” and “Blossom,” along with their predecessors “Liberty” and “Belle,” all hailed from Minnesota.

Turkeys from numerous states—North Carolina, Indiana, Iowa, South Dakota, Ohio, California, Virginia, and Missouri—are also set to be featured during the festivities.

This year’s Christmas tree is coming from Colson’s Tree Farm, located in Sidney Township, Michigan, roughly an hour northeast of Grand Rapids. The Fraser fir, destined for the Blue Room, is a gift from the farm’s owners, who won the privilege of supplying the White House tree through the National Christmas Tree Association’s National Tree Contest, which they won back in July.