Trump Uses Annual Turkey Pardon to Take Sharp Swipes at Top Democrats

President Donald Trump criticized numerous Democrats during the White House turkey pardon on Tuesday. Trump retold old battles, disputed President Joe Biden’s policies, and joked mercilessly about his lifelong political opponents during the holidays.

Trump pardoned Gobble and Waddle turkeys at the ceremony. He said Biden’s 2024 turkey pardons were autopen-approved rather than signed after the formalities. Trump again called autopen pardons, including last year’s, invalid. He claimed pardons “don’t count” without prior president signature.

Trump continued. He questioned which Biden-era pardons were valid, citing his son’s controversial unconditional pardon last year. It was a mix of fun and political criticism, but the president was trying to contrast his administration with Biden’s.

He joked about naming the turkeys after his strongest Capitol Hill opponents, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Trump told the crowd he would never pardon them. The comment was amusing but had the same political intensity as his years-long connection with the two Democratic leaders.

Trump attacked Democrat Illinois Governor JB Pritzker at the event. Trump recalled his immigration enforcement and Chicago federal army deployment disagreements with Pritzker. His irritation with Pritzker’s federal-state collaboration led him to quit making governor jokes. Trump said a copywriter had prepared a joke for him, but he didn’t use it before delivering a pointed comment that added tension and humor.

The turkey pardon ritual is usually humorous and bipartisan, but this year illustrated how political pressures affect Washington public appearances. Trump used humor and political criticism to highlight immigration policies and Democratic leadership issues.

After wishing everyone a good Thanksgiving, the message was political, showing that even holiday traditions are affected by the current administration.