The Presidential Turkey Pardon's Weird Roots Go Back To The Iran-Contra Scandal
6 years, 4 months ago

The Presidential Turkey Pardon's Weird Roots Go Back To The Iran-Contra Scandal

NPR  

The Presidential Turkey Pardon's Weird Roots Go Back To The Iran-Contra Scandal Enlarge this image toggle caption Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images The president is going to pardon a turkey. Here's how, from a piece originally written by this author in 2015: "Ronald Reagan in 1987 was technically the first president to use the word 'pardon' about a turkey, but it was really just a way to deflect questions about the Iran-Contra scandal and whether he would pardon key players involved — Oliver North and John Poindexter. In fact, the story of the event's roots was more accurately told by none other than President Trump in 2017 Sponsor Message "It was 70 years ago that the National Turkey Federation first presented the National Thanksgiving Turkey to President Harry Truman — who, I might add, did not grant the pardon," Trump said. "If the White House truly wanted to save a turkey's life, there would be a Tofurky roast on the president's table instead of a bird's corpse.

Tradition Birds Trump Turkey White House Washington White House Reagan Bush Sponsor Message Truman Drumstick Presidential Pardon  house  tradition  presented  presidential  pardon  scandal  birds  turkeys  roots  irancontra  white  trump  president  pardons  weird  turkey

History of this topic

Joe Biden pardons Turkeys Peach and Blossom in Thanksgiving tradition at White House
Trending News
4 months ago

Joe Biden pardons Turkeys Peach and Blossom in Thanksgiving tradition at White House

Live Mint  

WASHINGTON/STATEN ISLAND, New York: On Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden pardoned Peach and Blossom, two white-plumed turkeys, sparing them from Thanksgiving dinner tables. This year's turkeys are named after the Delaware state flower, the peach blossom, which symbolizes resilience, Biden, who has two homes in the state, told a crowd of around 2,500 people on the White House South Lawn …

Turkeys got pardoned. Will Jan. 6 defendants get the same treatment?
4 months ago

Turkeys got pardoned. Will Jan. 6 defendants get the same treatment?

LA Times  

President Biden pardons Peach on Monday at the White House. “Based on their temperament and commitment to being productive members of society,” Biden said, “I hereby pardon Peach and Blossom.” The turkey clemency came as questions swirl about whether Trump will make good on a campaign trail promise to pardon rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 …

Biden pardons turkeys Peach and Blossom, another chapter in a strange tradition
4 months ago

Biden pardons turkeys Peach and Blossom, another chapter in a strange tradition

NPR  

Biden pardons turkeys Peach and Blossom, another chapter in a strange tradition toggle caption Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images A lame-duck president "pardoned" a turkey Monday. "They tell me there's 2,500 people here today looking for a pardon," President Biden joked at a White House ceremony on the South Lawn. toggle caption Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images "So continuing …

Video misrepresents Biden’s departure from White House turkey pardon
55 years, 2 months ago

Video misrepresents Biden’s departure from White House turkey pardon

Associated Press  

CLAIM: A video clip shows President Joe Biden “abruptly” leaving this year’s Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House. In a full video of Monday’s ceremony, Biden spends several minutes speaking and taking photos with guests after pardoning two turkeys in an address before hundreds of attendees. THE FACTS: Social media users are sharing a clip from the annual …

Biden Makes Grandpa-Style Gaffe During Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon
1 year, 4 months ago

Biden Makes Grandpa-Style Gaffe During Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING President Joe Biden started Thanksgiving week on an awkward note during the White House’s annual turkey pardon on Monday. “She’s down in ― it’s kind of warm in Brazil, right now.” President Joe Biden jumbled up a joke about pop stars during the Thanksgiving turkey pardon at the White House on Monday. MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images …

Why does the president pardon a Thanksgiving turkey?
1 year, 4 months ago

Why does the president pardon a Thanksgiving turkey?

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “We think that’s a great way to kick …

'9.5M turkeys, that's like some of the countries I've been to' Biden says during Thanksgiving pardon
2 years, 4 months ago

'9.5M turkeys, that's like some of the countries I've been to' Biden says during Thanksgiving pardon

Daily Mail  

Joe Biden made an odd comparison saying some countries he visited have similar populations to the volume of turkeys raised on a farm from which the Turkey Pardon birds were brought in this year. President Biden's second Thanksgiving Turkey pardon on Monday was met with a pun-filled speech promising there was no 'fowl play' in the 2022 midterms and insisting …

Pardoned Indiana-raised turkeys now at new Purdue home
3 years, 3 months ago

Pardoned Indiana-raised turkeys now at new Purdue home

Associated Press  

— The two Indiana-raised turkeys given Thanksgiving pardons by President Joe Biden are now at their new Purdue University home. The turkeys arrived this past week at Purdue and were welcomed by visitors on the West Lafayette campus’ Memorial Mall. The turkeys named Peanut Butter and Jelly will live at Purdue’s Animal Sciences Research and Education Center, where the school …

Biden says pardoned turkeys will get ‘boosted,’ not ‘basted’
3 years, 4 months ago

Biden says pardoned turkeys will get ‘boosted,’ not ‘basted’

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday pardoned two Thanksgiving turkeys, saying that the white male birds were selected based on their “temperament, appearance and, I suspect, vaccination status.” “Instead of getting basted, these two turkeys are getting boosted today,” Biden joked. The pardoning comes as Biden’s agenda has seen fresh signs of life, with the president signing his $1 …

The Thanksgiving turkey pardon was the final humiliation of Donald Trump
4 years, 3 months ago

The Thanksgiving turkey pardon was the final humiliation of Donald Trump

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Clearly some believed there was, as …

Donald Trump Just Pardoned Corn and Cob in What May be His Last Thanksgiving in White House
4 years, 4 months ago

Donald Trump Just Pardoned Corn and Cob in What May be His Last Thanksgiving in White House

News 18  

What was his first official public appearance after the US presidential elections, Trump was seen in a good mood while pardoning the lives of turkey Corn and its understudy Cob at the White House Rose Garden with about 100 people in the audience. There, he said: “We send our love to every member of the armed forces and the law …

Turkey pardons on the menu at White House ceremony
4 years, 4 months ago

Turkey pardons on the menu at White House ceremony

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy In an annual Thanksgiving tradition, President Donald Trump will offer …

Three things to watch as Trump is scheduled to pardon final Thanksgiving turkeys
4 years, 4 months ago

Three things to watch as Trump is scheduled to pardon final Thanksgiving turkeys

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mr Trump has, like all of his predecessors, …

Trump Pardons Corn The Turkey, Trying To Show Normalcy Amid The Abnormal
4 years, 4 months ago

Trump Pardons Corn The Turkey, Trying To Show Normalcy Amid The Abnormal

NPR  

Trump Pardons Corn The Turkey, Trying To Show Normalcy Amid The Abnormal Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Updated at 2:40 p.m. Asked at that year's turkey presentation if he'd pardon two of the key players in the Iran-Contra scandal, Reagan joked about the bird in front of him: "If they'd given me a different …

Trump expected to issue a pardon before Thanksgiving – to a lucky turkey
4 years, 4 months ago

Trump expected to issue a pardon before Thanksgiving – to a lucky turkey

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trump, who has …

Donald Trump to Pardon Turkeys Again as He Cancels Annual Beach Trip to Spend Thanksgiving at White House
4 years, 4 months ago

Donald Trump to Pardon Turkeys Again as He Cancels Annual Beach Trip to Spend Thanksgiving at White House

News 18  

While US President-elect Joe Biden is set to enter the White House in January 2021 after the Presidential elections were called in his favour, Donald Trump seems to be in no mood to be leaving. In fact, the White House is currently planning its annual turkey pardon, even as their Trumps decide to take a break its annual beach holiday …

Trump tells impeachment jokes at annual turkey pardon event
5 years, 3 months ago

Trump tells impeachment jokes at annual turkey pardon event

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump couldn’t resist riffing on the House impeachment inquiry Tuesday as he continued the tradition of pardoning a Thanksgiving turkey, generating holiday-season laughter at the expense of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff, one of his chief antagonists in Congress. Trump joked that the pair of North Carolina-bred turkeys he was about to pardon had …

Turkey pardon: White House announces names of birds to be spared by Trump for Thanksgiving
5 years, 4 months ago

Turkey pardon: White House announces names of birds to be spared by Trump for Thanksgiving

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The two birds are settled in at The Willard Hotel after their trek from …

President Trump Pardons 2 Thanksgiving Turkeys
6 years, 4 months ago

President Trump Pardons 2 Thanksgiving Turkeys

NPR  

President Trump Pardons 2 Thanksgiving Turkeys Enlarge this image toggle caption Carolyn Kaster/AP Carolyn Kaster/AP Not seeing the video? While Trump delights in upending some White House traditions, he has gobbled this one up gamely, ignoring W.C. Fields' sage advice about the perils of working with animals. Sponsor Message "That turkey is so lucky," Trump said upon pardoning Peas. Peas …

The process to pardon turkeys is more rational than the one used for humans (opinion)
6 years, 4 months ago

The process to pardon turkeys is more rational than the one used for humans (opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Mark Osler is the Robert & Marion Short Professor of Law at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. After years of fruitlessly making that same argument, a more worthwhile observation might be this: The process used to choose which turkey might be pardoned is far more rational, efficient and effective than the one used to evaluate clemency …

Week Ahead: Trump Again Shows He's Willing To Use His Pardon Power
7 years, 4 months ago

Week Ahead: Trump Again Shows He's Willing To Use His Pardon Power

NPR  

Week Ahead: Trump Again Shows He's Willing To Use His Pardon Power Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images President Trump has tweeted boldly about his power to pardon, used it once for a controversial ally, and this week he'll put his pardon pen to use for a couple of turkeys. "President Donald J. Trump will …

Barack Obama jokes about presidential race at Thanksgiving turkey pardoning
9 years, 3 months ago

Barack Obama jokes about presidential race at Thanksgiving turkey pardoning

ABC  

US president Barack Obama has joked about raising teenage daughters, his critics and the 2016 presidential race during his annual Thanksgiving turkey pardoning. "As you may have heard, for months, there has been a fierce competition between a bunch of turkeys trying to win their way into the White House," Mr Obama said. Mr Obama pardoned two California-raised turkeys, named …

The Strange Truth Behind Presidential Turkey Pardons
9 years, 4 months ago

The Strange Truth Behind Presidential Turkey Pardons

NPR  

The Strange Truth Behind Presidential Turkey Pardons Enlarge this image toggle caption Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Editor's note: This story was originally posted last year. Enlarge this image toggle caption Scott Stewart/AP Scott Stewart/AP Ronald Reagan in 1987 was technically the first president to use the word "pardon" about a turkey, but it was really just a way …

Barack Obama pardons Thanksgiving turkeys in White House tradition
10 years, 3 months ago

Barack Obama pardons Thanksgiving turkeys in White House tradition

ABC  

President Barack Obama has made his "most talked-about executive action" this month by pardoning a pair of turkeys. Mr Obama made the light-hearted quip while performing the annual pardon of the National Thanksgiving Turkey at a ceremony at the White House. "Alright Cheese, you are hereby pardoned from the Thanksgiving dinner table," he said, jokingly adding that the bird looked …

Thanksgiving: A Very Brief Political History
11 years, 3 months ago

Thanksgiving: A Very Brief Political History

NPR  

Thanksgiving: A Very Brief Political History Enlarge this image toggle caption Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Of all the things Americans traditionally associate with Thanksgiving — turkey, family, football — politics doesn't rate high on the list. Here are a few memorable Thanksgiving political moments: Franksgiving Although President George Washington proclaimed the first national day of Thanksgiving in 1789, …

Poultry Pardon: President Rewards America's Top Turkey
11 years, 3 months ago

Poultry Pardon: President Rewards America's Top Turkey

NPR  

Poultry Pardon: President Rewards America's Top Turkey Enlarge this image toggle caption Carolyn Kaster/AP Carolyn Kaster/AP A turkey caught a break in Washington today. Sponsor Message The pardon came after the White House announced the results of "The Gobble," a competition that pitted two turkeys — Caramel and Popcorn — against each other for the title of this year's honored …

Turkey Obama pardoned last year dies just before Thanksgiving
12 years, 4 months ago

Turkey Obama pardoned last year dies just before Thanksgiving

Raw Story  

One of the two turkeys President Obama pardoned in 2011 did not make it to see his second Thanksgiving, as the bird came down with a mysterious illness and died Monday. Peace, the second turkey pardoned last year alongside Liberty, was euthanized Monday night at the Mount Vernon estate in Virginia where it had been living. Both fo the turkey's …

By the numbers: Thanksgiving and the Presidents
12 years, 4 months ago

By the numbers: Thanksgiving and the Presidents

CNN  

Story highlights Presidents have played a role in the annual Thanksgiving celebration since 1789 President Obama continued the tradition by pardoning a turkey at The White House this week One president opted for possum instead of turkey for his Thanksgiving meal CNN — Throughout American history, the annual celebration of family and gratitude known as Thanksgiving has been a central …

Obama's Thanksgiving proclamation 奥巴马感恩节演讲-英语点津
15 years, 4 months ago

Obama's Thanksgiving proclamation 奥巴马感恩节演讲-英语点津

China Daily  

President Obama pardons White House turkey The President grants the traditional Thanksgiving pardon to Courage, this year's Official White House Turkey in a ceremony on the North Portico of the White House. President Barack Obama's Thanksgiving Day proclamation, as released by the White House: What began as a harvest celebration between European settlers and indigenous communities nearly four centuries ago …

布什总统感恩节赦免火鸡-英语点津
15 years, 4 months ago

布什总统感恩节赦免火鸡-英语点津

China Daily  

President Bush gives a Presidential pardon to 'Flyer' the national Thanksgiving turkey Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006, in Washington. In the Rose Garden ceremony, President Bush said the holiday is a time for all Americans to be grateful for their blessings. The president and Mrs. Bush will spend the Thanksgiving holiday at the presidential retreat of Camp David in the mountains …

Bush pardons Thanksgiving turkeys-英语点津
17 years, 4 months ago

Bush pardons Thanksgiving turkeys-英语点津

China Daily  

Bush pardons Thanksgiving turkeys Download Thursday is the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. And yet every holiday for the last 60 years, at least one bird has escaped the butcher's axe with a ceremonial White House pardon. This year, two National Thanksgiving Turkeys traveled from the Midwest state of Indiana for President Bush to spare their lives in the …

布什总统感恩节赦免火鸡-英语点津
18 years, 4 months ago

布什总统感恩节赦免火鸡-英语点津

China Daily  

President Bush gives a Presidential pardon to 'Flyer' the national Thanksgiving turkey Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006, in Washington. In the Rose Garden ceremony, President Bush said the holiday is a time for all Americans to be grateful for their blessings. The president and Mrs. Bush will spend the Thanksgiving holiday at the presidential retreat of Camp David in the mountains …

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