Chocolate and Chip will live to gobble another day.
They are the turkeys U.S. President Joe Biden pardoned at the White House this week in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The ceremony on the South Lawn marked the 75th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation, where Biden took a few swipes at Republicans and those who still claim voter fraud.
“The votes are in. They’ve been counted and verified. There’s no ballot stuffing. There’s no fowl play,” Biden said to laughter. “The only red wave this season is going to be a German shepherd Commander knocks over the cranberry sauce on our table.”
Today, based on their temperament and commitment to be productive members of society, I hereby pardon this year’s National Thanksgiving Turkey – Chocolate.
— President Biden (@POTUS) November 21, 2022
And should he be unable to uphold his duties I also hereby pardon his alternate, Chip. pic.twitter.com/LpXaK0OgZz
As Biden moved to pardon both big birds, Chocolate was placed on a table for the symbolic gesture.
The turkey interrupted Biden’s good-natured pardon to belt out a gobble, but the president carried on with the duty at hand — and wished Americans a happy Thanksgiving.
Happening Now: President Biden pardons the National Thanksgiving Turkey. https://t.co/ddHUEkGTdF
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 21, 2022
The birds were raised near Monroe, N.C. and will wind up at North Carolina State University, which the president explained has one of the best poultry science departments in the country.
