In jab at Republicans, Obama pardons turkeys
Obama issues executive order to pardon two massive birds during annual White House tradition
WASHINGTON
Making light of recent controversy, President Barack Obama spared two turkeys on Wednesday from becoming holiday dinners during an annual White House tradition, a day before Americans will enjoy a Thanksgiving turkey feast.
“Today, I’m taking an action fully within my legal authority - the same kind of action taken by Democrat and Republican presidents before me, to spare the lives of two turkeys” Obama said at the White House, mirroring his announcement last week of executive actions that shielded five million undocumented immigrants from deportation.
Critics of Obama’s plan, predominantly congressional Republicans, have called it an overextension of his power, saying it draws too close to granting amnesty to those here illegally, which would require legal authorization from Congress.
He joked, “some will call this amnesty, but don’t worry, there’s plenty of turkey to go around.”
The two lucky turkeys, Mac and Cheese, were selected by the public on Twitter. Fans of either bird cast their vote by tweeting #TeamMac or #TeamCheese for the bird they thought should become the 2014 National Thanksgiving Day Turkey. While Cheese claimed the title and the only bird present at the ceremony, Mac was also spared as an alternate.
“Let’s face it, if you’re a turkey and you’re named after a side dish, your chances of escaping Thanksgiving dinner are pretty low, so these guys are well ahead of the curve,” Obama added amid laughter.
First daughters Malia and Sasha accompanied the president during the ceremony but when asked if they wanted to pet the massive 48-pound bird, they declined.
The birds will now live out the rest of their lives at Morven Park’s Turkey Hill, a turkey farm in Leesburg, Virginia.
