US turkey pardoning: Donald Trump spares Drumstick and Wishbone for Thanksgiving

Donald Trump has used his pardon power to spare two turkeys from the Thanksgiving roaster.

The US President 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 get to live the rest of their lives at a farm in Virginia, where they will join Tater and Tot, pardoned by Barack Obama in 2016.

Mr Trump, who taken many steps to undo Mr Obama's policies, used the opportunity to poke fun at the former president.

He said: "As many of you know, I've been very active in overturning a number of executive actions by my predecessor.

"However, I have been informed by the White House counsel's office that Tater and Tot's pardons cannot, under any circumstances, be revoked. So we're not going to revoke them. So Tater and Tot, you can rest easy."

The President added at the pardoning, which was attended only by Drumstick: "I'm pleased to report that unlike millions of other turkeys at this time of the year, Drumstick has a very, very bright future ahead of him.”

As he approached the turkey for the pardon, he exclaimed: "Wow, big bird!" before asking if he could touch him.

First lady Melania and son Barron joined the president for the light-hearted ceremony.

The White House asked the public to help them decide which gobbler should be pardoned.

Mr Trump said earlier Drumstick was the winner, though Wishbone will also be given a reprieve.

President George H W Bush established the annual turkey pardon tradition in 1989 when he spared an unnamed, 50-pound turkey.