President Joe Biden pardoned Peanut Butter the turkey over feathered friend Jelly in the 74th National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation.
Biden described the pardon tradition, started by George H.W. Bush, as “important” because it “reminds us to have a little bit of fun and always be grateful,” particularly after the pandemic’s upheaval of everyday life.
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Referring to the COVID-19 outbreak, Biden joked Peanut Butter and Jelly were chosen based on their appearance, temperament, and “I suspect, vaccination status.”
“Instead of getting basted, these two turkeys are getting boosted,” he said. Biden also quipped that “turkey is infrastructure” after signing his $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure deal into law this week. “Peanut Butter and Jelly are going to help build back the butterball,” he said, adding they will replace Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and husband Chasten as “the new Indiana power couple.”
The National Turkey Federation first gave President Harry Truman a bird in 1947. This year’s animals were raised in Jasper, Indiana, and will retire at Purdue University.
Biden presided over the ceremony after spending the morning at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Reporters asked him about his first annual presidential check-up, and Biden took the opportunity to tout the House passing the roughly $2 trillion partisan social welfare and climate spending legislation.
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“I had a great physical and a great House of Representatives vote. It’s a good day,” he said as he left the hospital for the White House.
