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 18:28 · Lucy Anna Gray]

President Trump has joked that though he will issue the turkeys with a pardon, they may face subpoenas from House Democrats. It comes amid reports that Democrats will seek to open several investigations into the Trump administration when they take control of the congressional chamber in January.

[20 November 2018 18:30 · Lucy Anna Gray]

As Peas and Carrots drive off into the sunset - probably the only happy turkeys this Thanksgiving - the ceremony is over. Thanks for following!