New Delhi, Nov. 26 -- US President Donald Trump carried forward a long-standing Thanksgiving tradition on Tuesday (November 25), pardoning two turkeys-Gobble and Waddle-during a ceremony at the White House before departing for his Florida resort to celebrate the holiday.

The two birds, raised in North Carolina, were selected for the annual presidential pardon and received VIP treatment ahead of their big moment. Waddle and Gobble were lodged in luxury hotel accommodations upon arrival in Washington.

Trump opened the ceremony with characteristic humor, saying, "The turkeys being pardoned today go by the names Gobble and Waddle. When I first saw their pictures... I was going to call them Chuck and Nancy - but then I realized I wouldn't be...