
In Focus
Turkeys take Washington: Lucky birds receive presidential pardon
After a stay at the Willard Hotel and a visit with the press corps, two South Dakota turkeys were pardoned at the White House by President Trump.



President Donald Trump grants Peas an absolute pardon in the Rose Garden.
"That turkey is so lucky. I've never seen such a beautiful turkey," said Trump.
Trump pardoned both birds who will get to live the rest of their lives at "Gobbler’s Rest," an agricultural education facility at Virginia Tech University.
Trump jokingly warns pardoned turkeys of recounts, subpoenas

President John F. Kennedy reaches out to touch a 40-pound turkey presented to him at the White House on Nov. 19, 1963, on behalf of the nation's turkey industry.
Although the turkeys have been presented to presidents for about 70 years, the annual presidential pardon didn't begin until 1989 with President George H.W. Bush, according to The Associated Press.