Presidential Pardoning of the National Thanksgiving Turkey


President George H.W. Bush, 1989, pardoning turkey.

Photo courtesy of WhiteHouse.gov.


Each year at the National Thanksgving Turkey presentation, the President of the United States pardons two turkeys presented to him by the National Turkey Federation. Although the tradition has roots dating all the way back to Abraham Lincoln, the official pardoning of turkeys did not start until 1989 under President George H.W. Bush.

According to the White House website, last year's turkeys were "picked from a group of 30 birds" that were "segregated into a special area in the barn and... periodically... given additional interaction with people in an effort to acclimate them to the environment they will experience in the Rose Garden Ceremony." By mid-fall, 15 "finalists" were selected, and the final two were chosen a week before the presentation. The two selected turkeys were then sent to Disneyland to "participate" in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. The fates of the other 28 birds are not discussed.

Traditionally, only one of the turkeys is on hand for the ceremony. The second bird is on standby in the case that the first bird cannot "fulfill the responsibilities of being the National Turkey." Because turkeys raised for food are selectively bred to gain enormous amounts of weight, the National Turkey could suffer a heart attack, a limb injury, or a number of other problems at any time, necessitating a stand-in.

President George W. Bush petting Stars, the turkey. 2003.

Photo courtesy of WhiteHouse.gov.

We've launched a petition on change.org and written a letter asking the President to pardon every turkey destined to become a White House dinner this holiday season.

If the American spirit truly is based on compassion, gratitude, and sharing, then we should protect innocent, sentient beings from the harsh confines of factory farms and the cruel methods of slaughter. Keeping White House dinners turkey-free this Thanksgiving gives President Bush an opportunity to make a statement against factory farming and slaughter, which results in destruction of animals, human health, and the environment.

To view the letter and sign our petition, click here!