Washington, Nov. 26 -- President Donald Trump upheld the White House tradition of pardoning turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving, sparing two birds named Gobble and Waddle during a ceremony that blended humor with political jabs.
Addressing one of the turkeys, Trump said, "Gobble, you are hereby unconditionally pardoned," as the bird responded with its characteristic gobbles. Both turkeys, from North Carolina, had been staying at The Willard Intercontinental Hotel before their appearance at the White House. The annual event spares select turkeys from becoming part of the traditional Thanksgiving feast.
While the practice dates back to Abraham Lincoln in 1863, it became a formalized "presidential pardon" for turkeys under George H.W. Bush in 1989...