WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — With Thanksgiving just days away, preparations are underway for one of the White House’s most recognizable holiday traditions: the presidential turkey pardon. Earlier this week, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins traveled to North Carolina, where she hand-selected the National Thanksgiving Turkeys that will take part in this year’s ceremony. The birds, raised specifically for the annual event, are set to make their public debut in Washington today ahead of their visit with the president.
Leslee Oden, president of the National Turkey Federation, and Jay Jandrain, CEO of Butterball, joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to discuss the history, significance, and expectations surrounding this year’s presentation. In their interview with RFD-TV News, both leaders also shared what they are most looking forward to during the ceremony and highlighted what happens to the birds after they receive their official pardon — including their move to a life of care and comfort at a designated educational facility.
Oden reflected on the long-standing tradition of the White House turkey presentation, noting its evolution into a lighthearted and beloved national moment. Jandrain, who accompanied Secretary Rollins during the selection process, offered insight into this year’s turkeys and the North Carolina farm where they were raised. She also added that the Thanksgiving holiday remains a major driver for the poultry sector, marking one of the most important periods of the year for the industry.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) estimates that the move will save farmers and ranchers $2.5 billion each year. The group warns that new methods for calculating the adverse-effect wage rate would result in lower pay for foreign workers.
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