Obama at Turkey Pardon: ‘I Know Some Will Call This Amnesty’

Obama at Turkey Pardon: ‘I Know Some Will Call This Amnesty’

During the White House Turkey pardon this year, President Obama joked that his critics would call his action “amnesty.”

“I know some will call this amnesty,” he said, as the people in the room laughed. “But don’t worry, there is plenty of turkey to go around.”

Obama also joked that his turkey pardon was “an action fully within my legal authority” that was “the same kind of action taken by Democrats and Republican presidents before.”

Obama pardoned the turkeys, noting that although it was a puzzling tradition, it was one he still enjoyed.

“I will say that I enjoy it because, with all the tough stuff that swirls around in this office, it’s nice once in a while just to say Happy Thanksgiving, and this is a great excuse to do it,” he said.

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