Turkeys From MN Pardoned By Biden: 'Congratulations, Birds!'

WASHINGTON — Turkeys Liberty and Bell were far from their home state of Minnesota this week after they traveled to the nation’s capital to receive a presidential pardon.

The Jennie-O turkeys were presented Monday by the National Turkey Federation and were granted the honor by President Joe Biden during the 76th National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation at the White House grounds.

Biden noted the birds’ love of Minnesota mainstays such as Honeycrisp apples, hockey, lakes and the Mall of America.

"Look folks, based on their commitment to being productive members of society as they head to their new home at the University of Minnesota ... I hereby pardon Liberty and Bell. Congratulations, birds!" the president declared.

For Liberty and Bell, the road to the White House was paved with luxury. They stayed in a suite at the Willard InterContinental and traveled to Washington in a black Cadillac Escalade.

The male turkeys, both about 20 weeks old and roughly 42 pounds, were hatched in July in Willmar, where Jennie-O is headquartered, as part of the "presidential flock," according to Steve Lykken, chairman of the National Turkey Federation and president of the Jennie-O Turkey Store. The birds listened to music and other sounds to prepare them for Monday's hoopla at the White House.

"They listened to all kinds of music to get ready for the crowds and people along the way. I can confirm they are, in fact, Swifties, and they do enjoy some Prince," Lykken said, meaning Liberty and Bell are fans of Taylor Swift.

The turkeys will live out the rest of their days in the care of veterinarians, faculty and students at the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences in St. Paul, where they will highlight the importance of agricultural education and help promote the role of the turkey industry and animal agriculture in America’s food system.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.