WASHINGTON—As part of a White House Thanksgiving tradition, President Donald Trump pardoned a turkey named Peas on Nov. 20 in a Rose Garden ceremony, calling it “a lucky bird.”
“That turkey is so lucky. I’ve never seen such a beautiful turkey,” Trump said.
“It has been stated that President Abraham Lincoln —‘Honest Abe’—was the first president to grant such a pardon after his son Tad befriended the Christmas turkey and implored his father, ‘Please, Dad, please save it.’”
The National Turkey Federation presented the president with two live domestic turkeys named Peas and Carrots. The president spared both turkeys from meeting the Thanksgiving table.
Trump said although both turkeys were being pardoned, Peas was declared the winner of a public vote conducted on the White House website. Trump said the election was “fair and open.”
“Unfortunately, Carrots refused to concede and demanded a recount,” he joked. Carrots didn’t take part in the ceremony.
Peas, a 39-pound turkey, and Carrots, a 41-pound bird, came to Washington from Huron, South Dakota, where they were raised.
Both turkeys will be sent to Gobblers Rest on the campus of Virginia Tech and will be cared for by students and veterinarians.
“Even though Peas and Carrots have received a presidential pardon, I have warned them that House Democrats are likely to issue them both subpoenas,” Trump said.
During the pardoning ceremony, Trump took a moment to remember the citizens affected by California’s devastating wildfires and to honor U.S. troops who are stationed overseas.
