President Joe Biden pardoned two Thanksgiving turkeys on Friday in order to kick off his first holiday season in the Oval Office.
Biden, who spent 36 years in the Senate before becoming the nation's vice president under Barack Obama, has been steeped in the traditions of Washington, DC.
This year will be the first time that the president will lead the festivities at the White House.
Biden said at the pardon ceremony that the two white male turkeys were picked because of their appearance and vaccination status.
The president joked that the two turkeys are getting boosted instead of being basted.
The White House said on November 19 that it would be out in 2020.
The White House staffers and their guests were in the Rose Garden when Biden spoke, and he gave the reprieve to the turkeys from Indiana.
Biden has had turbulence early in his presidency, from Democratic infighting on Capitol Hill over his legislative agenda to inflationary concerns which threaten the party's electoral standing as next year's elections approach.
The president signed a bipartisan infrastructure bill into law this week that funds much-needed transportation construction projects across the country.
The president's social-spending legislation received a key House vote, but it still faces approval in the Senate.
Biden made light of his speeches on infrastructure policy, joking that "turkey is infrastructure."
"Peanut Butter and Jelly are going to help build back the butterball as we move along," he said, in a reference to his reconciliation bill.
Every American wants the same thing: They want to be able to see the turkey in the eye and tell him everything's going to be okay. "So, folks, it's going to be okay," he joked.
Biden made a joke at the expense of Pete Buttigieg and his husband.
The president apologized for Pete and Chasten, saying that Peanut Butter and Jelly are now the new Indiana power couple.
The turkeys, who were raised in Jasper, Indiana, had a brief visit to the nation's capital, appearing with members of the Indiana congressional delegation and occupying a suite at the famed Willard Hotel.
Kristen Powers is a reporter for the 7 News.
The turkeys will head to the Animal Science Research and Education Center at Purdue University to live out the rest of their days after being pardoned, according to the institution.
