Trump grants poultry pardons to turkeys Peas and Carrots

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A pair of birds named Peas and Carrots are the candidates for this year's act of presidential mercy. (Photo courtesy of Willard Intercontinental Hotel)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- - In an annual Thanksgiving tradition, President Donald Trump has used the power of his office to keep a pair of turkeys off the holiday table.

Trump's poultry pardon means the two turkeys -- a 39-pound bird named Peas and a 41-pounder named Carrots -- will get to live the rest of their lives at a Virginia farm. 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.

President George H.W. Bush established the annual turkey pardon tradition in 1989 by sparing a 50-pound bird.

Trump was traveling to his Florida estate later Tuesday to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with family.