WASHINGTON —

In a tradition that dates back decades, President Donald Trump pardoned turkeys Gobble and Waddle at the White House . The first official pardon was granted by President George H.W. Bush in 1989.

The turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, both weighed over 50 pounds, according to the president. Gobble represented both birds at the ceremony in the newly renovated Rose Garden , with President Trump noting that Waddle was "M.I.A."

"Today, we continue a time-honored American tradition," President Trump said as he was interrupted by Gobble's gobbling. The president joked, "Well, that's a well-trained turkey."

Waddle was peppered with questions from reporters in the White House press briefing room, where one person asked what Waddle would do with his new found freedom.

The first turk

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