Biden hosts 76th turkey pardon ceremony on his birthday

President Biden is set to pardon a turkey — or two — Monday as the White House celebrates the 76th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey ceremony, one of the time-honored, albeit quirky, White House traditions. 

This year's turkeys are named Liberty and Bell, and as is the custom, they've been staying in a room at the luxurious Willard Intercontinental blocks from the White House. They hail from Willmar, Minnesota, west of the twin cities. 

This year's turkey pardon ceremony happens to fall on Mr. Biden's 81st birthday, and the president doesn't have any other plans on his public schedule. The turkey pardon ceremony provides a moment of brevity to metaphorically roast the turkeys and D.C. politics at a time when the Biden administration is focused on the crisis in Israel and Gaza.