WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is using his pardon power to keep a pair of turkeys from the Thanksgiving roaster.
Trump continued the annual presidential tradition during an event Tuesday in the White House Rose Garden. The act of leniency means 47-pound Drumstick and 36-pound Wishbone will instead get to live the rest of their lives at a Virginia farm. First lady Melania Trump and son Barron joined the president for the light-hearted ceremony.
The White House sought public input to determine which gobbler should be pardoned. Trump says Drumstick was the winner, though both birds usually are given a reprieve.
President George H. W. Bush established the annual turkey pardon tradition in 1989 when he spared an unnamed, 50-pound turkey.
Trump was headed to his Florida estate later Tuesday for Thanksgiving.
[VIDEO: Trump pardons Thanksgiving turkeys at the White House]