WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump plans to bestow ceremonial pardons on two turkeys and fly to his private Florida resort on Tuesday to celebrate Thanksgiving, a holiday interlude during what has been a turbulent and uncertain chapter of his second term.
The turkeys, named Waddle and Gobble, have enjoyed luxury hotel accommodations ahead of their White House visit. This turkey pardon is a revered presidential tradition, but Thanksgiving may not provide Trump with the political respite he seeks. Following sweeping victories for Democrats in New Jersey, Virginia, and elsewhere earlier this month, many Americans are frustrated over rising holiday meal costs.
Despite Trump's insistence that prices are stable, research indicates that meals could cost more this year. Meanwhile, the President struggles to advance plans to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine while facing backlash from both European allies and some Republicans. Additionally, U.S. military operations poised to target Venezuela could further destabilize that nation's leadership.
As the midterm elections approach, Trump confronts a potential rift in the Republican coalition, with some party members pushing for transparency on the Jeffrey Epstein case, directly contradicting the president's wishes.
This week, Trump also faced a courtroom setback when a federal judge dismissed cases against James Comey and Letitia James, prominent targets in the president's retribution campaign.
The judge ruled that the interim U.S. attorney involved in the case had been illegally appointed but noted that the Justice Department could still pursue charges. Amid these complicated developments, the White House is preparing for the holiday season amidst construction in the East Wing for a new ballroom.
