President Donald Trump is set to carry out the time-honored tradition of pardoning two turkeys on Tuesday before heading off to his private estate in Florida to celebrate Thanksgiving. This brief holiday break comes amid a particularly chaotic period in his presidency.

The fortunate turkeys, aptly named Waddle and Gobble, hail from North Carolina and have been treated to luxurious hotel stays in anticipation of their White House appearance. The presidential turkey pardon is a lighthearted ritual that has been observed for many years.

However, the holiday may not offer much of a political breather for Trump. Just recently, Democrats achieved significant victories in New Jersey, Virginia, and other regions, signaling potential challenges for the president. Compounding this, some reports suggest that Thanksgiving dinners might be pricier this year despite Trump’s claims to the contrary. This serves as a reminder of the ongoing discontent stemming from inflation.

On the international front, Trump faces hurdles in his efforts to resolve the Russian invasion of Ukraine. An initial proposal was met with swift disapproval from European allies and some members of his own party. Concurrently, the U.S. military is preparing potential strikes against Venezuela as part of an anti-drug operation, which could destabilize the nation’s leadership.

Back in Washington, Trump contends with the possibility of a fractured Republican party as the midterm elections approach, determining the balance of power in Congress. In a rare defiance, some GOP members have supported legislation compelling the Justice Department to release additional documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Trump faced a setback in court this week when a federal judge tossed cases against James Comey and Letitia James, two targets of the president’s retribution campaign.

Comey, a former FBI director whom Trump fired during his first term, was charged with making a false statement and obstructing Congress. James, the New York attorney general who investigated the president between his two terms, was charged with mortgage fraud.

Both pleaded not guilty and said the prosecutions were politically motivated, pointing to Trump’s public demands for the Justice Department to punish his enemies.

The judge said the interim U.S. attorney, a former member of Trump’s personal legal team, who obtained the indictments was illegally appointed. However, the decision was made without prejudice, so the Justice Department could try again to charge Comey and James.

All of the latest developments contribute to a moment of frenetic activity for the White House, which would normally be settling in for a quiet and festive holiday season.

However, despite the traditional arrival of a Christmas tree on Monday, the presidential residence will be much different this year. Although holiday tours are expected to continue, Trump’s decision to demolish the building’s East Wing to make room for a new ballroom has turned part of the White House grounds into a construction site.