Turkey pardon: Donald Trump jokes about elections as he spares national Thanksgiving birds

Before pardon, turkey visits White House briefing room

Donald Trump has used the annual presidential Thanksgiving turkey pardon to take a swipe at a number of issues that have irritated him in recent weeks.

Mr Trump's poultry pardon means the two turkeys — a 39-pound bird named Peas, who was officially chosen as the national Thanksgiving turkey, and a 41-pounder named Carrots — will get to live the rest of their lives at Virginia Tech university. Both were raised on a farm near Huron, South Dakota.

First Lady Melania Trump joined her husband for the act of mercy carried out during a light-hearted ceremony in the White House Rose Garden.

However, Mr Trump could not help taking a dig at the current state of Washington.

“That turkey is so lucky. I've never seen such a beautiful turkey,” Mr. Trump said of Peas. The president joked about the decision alluding to close recounts in the recent Florida governor and Senate races, which Republicans ultimately won.

“Unfortunately, Carrots refused to concede, and called for a recount,” Mr Trump said.

He also joked that Peas and Carrots would be issued subpoenas by House Democrats, amid reports that the party could launch a number of investigations into the Trump administration now that it controls the House of Representatives.

Mr Trump also said that his pardons of the turkeys would be subject to a decision by the 9th Circuit Court, which has often ruled against Mr Trump's policies.

To see who the evnt unfolded, follow our live updates below

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[20 November 2018 18:21 · Lucy Anna Gray]

"I've never seen such a beautiful turkey," the president has said about this year's contender. But which lucky turkey is he talking about; Peas or Carrots?

[20 November 2018 18:21 · Lucy Anna Gray]

And the winner is Peas!

[20 November 2018 18:21 · Lucy Anna Gray]

"It's too bad for Carrots!" the president says of the losing turkey.

[20 November 2018 18:23 · Lucy Anna Gray]

Donald Trump is now thanking a man called Reuben for raising "such good looking turkeys".

[20 November 2018 18:23 · Lucy Anna Gray]

Peas and Carrots will be sent to "Gobblers rest on the campus of Virginia tech" where they will enjoy care from poultry science students, the president says.

[20 November 2018 18:24 · Lucy Anna Gray]

Of course Twitter is enjoying this bizarre annual tradition... 

[20 November 2018 18:25 · Lucy Anna Gray]

The ceremony has now taken a more serious tone, with the president sending prayers to those in need, and giving a mention to the victims of the deadly California wildfires.

[20 November 2018 18:26 · Lucy Anna Gray]

After sending prayers to US troops and saying this is a time of thanks, Donald Trump will now pardon the turkey.

[20 November 2018 18:27 · Lucy Anna Gray]

"Peas I hereby grant you a full pardon!" The president says loudly with his hand over the bird.

[20 November 2018 18:27 · Lucy Anna Gray]

Apart from a couple of little strokes, the president - disappointingly - avoided picking up the massive bird.