Chocolate turkey, chips President Biden pardoned

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Two lucky turkeys were saved from being part of the Thanksgiving meal. President Biden pardoned the birds at the White House on Monday as part of his annual Thanksgiving tradition.

The two pardoned turkeys were named ‘Chocolate’ and ‘Chip’. They come from a farm in North Carolina and spend the rest of their days in their home state.

“Chocolate and Chips will be attending North Carolina State University, one of the nation’s leading basketball schools and research universities,” Biden said.

The turkey pardon ceremony is a popular holiday tradition at the White House. According to historians, Abraham Lincoln was the first president to spare a turkey. However, it didn’t become an official annual tradition until the first President Bush took office in 1989.

Monday’s event was the moment the White House marked the holiday.

“It’s a special time for the greatest nation on earth, so let’s be grateful,” Biden said.

President Biden also took the opportunity to burn some political jokes into his remarks, referring to his party’s better-than-expected midterm performance.

“There were votes, they were counted, they were verified. No ballot stuffing. No chicken play,” Biden said. “The only red wave this season is when the German Shepherd his commander flips the cranberry his sauce on the table.”

His final message received more serious attention.

“No single loneliness is beyond our capacity as a nation. Nothing is beyond our capacity if we are together, united, united,” said Biden .