As Thanksgiving approaches, most turkeys are destined for the dinner table, but for two birds, a special tradition ensures their survival. The presidential turkey pardon, a quirky American custom, dates back to the Truman Administration, with President George H.W. Bush being the first to formally pardon a turkey. Each year, the National Turkey Federation presents the President with a turkey for a ceremonial pardon, and the lucky birds live out their days in peace, spared from becoming a holiday feast.
The chairman of the National Turkey Federation, John Zimmerman, a second-generation turkey farmer from Northfield, Minnesota, oversees the special flock. “There’s some 40 million turkeys eaten on Thanksgiving, but only two are pardoned,” Zimmerman explained. Representing over 2,500 turkey farms across the U.S., Zimmerman raises millions of pounds of turkey annually, but those chosen for the presidential pardon receive unique treatment.
Zimmerman’s flock of turkeys is specially raised and acclimated to the public spotlight ahead of their Washington, D.C. debut. The birds, which hatch in mid-July, are exposed to loud noises, flashing lights, and crowds to ensure they remain calm during the pardoning ceremony on the White House lawn. “We interact with them daily, picking them up, checking their feathers, and making sure they’re comfortable around people,” Zimmerman said. “We also play music to get them used to different sounds. Classic rock and polka are some favorites, but they seem to like patriotic music best, especially bugle calls like Taps.”
The selection process for the two pardoned turkeys begins with a flock of 44 birds, but only those with calm temperaments and impressive plumage make the final cut. “We want birds that are not afraid of people but aren’t overly aggressive either,” Zimmerman said. “They need to stay calm and sit still on the table for the ceremony.” After the final two are chosen, they travel in a minivan for the 16-hour journey to Washington, where they will be presented to the President.
Once pardoned, the turkeys are not simply retired to obscurity. This year, the presidential turkeys will be sent to Farmamerica, an agricultural interpretive center in Waseca, Minnesota, where they will live out their days, educating the public about farming and food production.
The presidential turkey pardon remains a fun, lighthearted tradition, marking the holiday season with a touch of whimsy—and a reminder that not every turkey ends up on a plate.