The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
Welcome to your "turkey edition" of West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue — and beyond.
Welcome to your "turkey edition" of West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue — and beyond. This week, the President wrapped up his trip to Asia — a cross-continental journey that took him to Antalya, Manila, and concluded in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He honored Medal of Freedom recipients back at the White House, and pardoned a couple of lucky turkeys before Thanksgiving. That's November 20th to November 26th or, "This Turkey is Hereby Pardoned."
Friday, November 20th
- On Friday, the President wrapped up his trip to Manila with a meet and greet with Embassy staff and their families.
- Then, he was wheels up to Kuala Lumpur — the last stop on his 3-country trip to Asia. There, he participated in a town hall with young Southeast Asian leaders.
- Later, the President held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Saturday, November 21st
- On Saturday, the President started the day by talking trade to leaders from the largest markets for U.S. exports — at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.
- Later, he went to the Dignity for Children Foundation, a school and training center for more than 1,000 students, many of them refugees. The President spoke powerfully about how America is at its best when we give a chance to refugees who have risked everything to live a life free of persecution.
Sunday, November 22nd
- On Sunday, before a day of meetings, the President greeted the staff and families of the U.S. Embassy in Malaysia. Then, world leaders and their delegates filled the halls of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre for the East Asia Summit.
- And later, the President sat down with the Prime Minister of Singapore for a bilateral meeting.
- The President concluded his trip with a news conference, where he answered some questions about ISIL.
- After a week of whirlwind meetings, the President and his delegation bid adieu to Asia and headed home — crossing multiple time zones and arriving in the wee hours of Monday morning.
Tuesday, November 24th
- On Tuesday, the President welcomed President François Hollande of France to the White House to discuss international efforts to combat ISIL. They joined reporters in the East Room for a news conference.
- And that afternoon, the President honored 17 distinguished Americans, who were honored with the highest civilian honor — the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Wednesday, November 26th
- On Wednesday, the President convened a meeting with his National Security Team to discuss efforts to protect the homeland over the holidays.
- That afternoon, the President welcomed some impressive student entrepreneurs in the Oval Office.
- And later, the President continued the tradition of pardoning a turkey — freeing "Honest" and "Abe" from a Thanksgiving dinner table.
- Following the turkey pardon, the First Family volunteered at Friendship Place, their own "service before supper" tradition.
Stay engaged with us online at WhiteHouse.gov, and check us out on social media. And from your West Wing Week correspondents... have a safe Thanksgiving, stuffed with turkey and gravy.
