“Reminder that they can’t pardon the turkey for state level crimes”
The U.S. president usually pardons two turkeys right before Thanksgiving. A joke about this is that a president cannot pardon a turkey for state-level crimes.
“Quick reminder, Trump can’t pardon any Turkey for state level crimes” was posted on X/Twitter by Blue New World on November 20, 2017. “President can’t pardon turkeys for state crimes” was posted on X/Twitter by Philip Bump on November 24, 2020. “They can’t pardon a turkey who committed state level crimes” was posted on X/Twitter by Matt Margolis on November 25, 2024. “reminder that they can’t pardon the turkey for state level crimes” was posted on X/Twitter by Matt Margolis on November 27, 2025, and this received over 5,900 likes.
“By accepting their pardons, the turkeys are admitting guilt,” “I consider myself a moral person. That’s why I only eat turkeys that have exhausted appeals” and “Most pardoned turkeys end up back in the system” are related jokes about turkey pardons.
Wikipedia: National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation
The National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation is a ceremony that takes place at the White House every year shortly before Thanksgiving. The president of the United States is presented with a live domestic turkey by the National Turkey Federation (NTF), usually a male of the Broad Breasted White variety. The early years also included a joint presentation with the Poultry and Egg National Board.
The ceremony dates back to the 1940s; these turkeys were usually slaughtered and eaten, with some exceptions, prior to the 1970s, when it became standard practice to spare the turkey. During the presidency of George H. W. Bush, it became a tradition. All presidents since Bush have issued a ceremonial “pardon” to the turkey.
X/Twitter
PlagueBoobs
@DonaldLaranjo
Applying new legal knowledge: If the WH Thanksgiving turkey is indicted on state charges,
@realDonaldTrump can’t pardon it.
8:56 AM · Nov 3, 2017
X/Twitter
Blue New World
@BlueNewWorld
Quick reminder, Trump can’t pardon any Turkey for state level crimes.
10:39 AM · Nov 20, 2017
X/Twitter
Philip Bump
@pbump
President can’t pardon turkeys for state crimes, Dan.
3:05 PM · Nov 24, 2020
X/Twitter
Matt Margolis
@ItsMattsLaw
They can’t pardon a turkey who committed state level crimes
5:46 PM · Nov 25, 2024
Bluesky
Matt Margolis
@itsmattslaw.bsky.social
They can’t pardon a turkey who committed state level crimes
Nov 25, 2024, 5:48 PM
X/Twitter
webchemist
@drfwebchemist
Just for the record. the White House can’t pardon the turkeys for NY state crimes
5:30 PM · Nov 26, 2024
Bluesky
Maria H
@miranda2607.bsky.social
They can’t pardon a turkey who committed state level crime
Nov 27, 2024, 2:27 AM
X/Twitter
Matt Margolis
@ItsMattsLaw
reminder that they can’t pardon the turkey for state level crimes
8:25 AM · Nov 27, 2025
Facebook
Itsmattslaw
November 27, 2025 at 8:41 AM ·
Reminder that they can’t pardon the turkey for state level crimes.
Hopefully it has committed mail fraud or whatever.
Bluesky
Red Delabor
@delabor-was-here.bsky.social
reminder that they can’t pardon the turkey for state level crimes
Nov 27, 2025, 10:53 AM
Facebook
Rachel Brenke
November 27, 2025 at 12:03 PM ·
PSA: The turkey can’t be pardoned for state crimes.
Fingers crossed its rap sheet is strictly federal.