Trump jokes on impeachment, Turkey as he pardons birds

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - U.S. President Donald Trump used the ceremonial pardoning of a Thanksgiving turkey to make light of the House of Representatives' ongoing impeachment probe and domestic criticism that he is too lenient with Turkey.

During the traditional event, Trump pardoned Bread and Butter, saying they had "already received subpoenas to appear in Adam Schiff's basement on Thursday," a reference to the House Intelligence Committee chairman.

"It seems the Democrats are accusing me of being too soft on turkey," Trump said in a turn of phrase. "I should note that unlike previous witnesses you and I have actually met."

Roughly a dozen witnesses offered sworn public testimony before Schiff's committee during two weeks of hearings.

Outside of the impeachment inquiry, Butter, who received the title of National Thanksgiving Turkey following a public poll, and Bread are now set to retire to Gobblers Rest at Virginia Tech after spending a night at the luxurious Willard Intercontinental Hotel.

The pardoning of a turkey is thought to date back to President Abraham Lincoln when he jokingly bestowed an unofficial pardon to a turkey. But President George H.W. Bush made the practice official in 1989.