Presidential pardon for two turkeys

Obama pardoned “Abe,” the 2015 national Thanksgiving turkey, during a ceremony Wednesday in the Rose Garden. Abe gobbled right on cue as Obama finished his absolution. “Honest,” the second bird was nearby if off camera. Both turkeys will spend their remaining days living it up on a Virginia farm.

The birds hail from California, are 18 weeks old and weigh in at about 42 pounds each. The names of the turkeys were chosen from submissions entered by school children in California. Honest has a red face and neck, while Abe’s crown features more extensive blue splotches.

Obama referred to Abe as TOTUS, or Turkey of the United States. “America is, after all, a country of second chances and this turkey has earned a second chance to live out the rest of his life comfortably on 1,000 acres of open land complete with a barn called the ‘the White House on Turkey Hill,” Obama said.

Obama was accompanied by his daughters, Malia and Sasha. “As you get older, you appreciate when your kids just indulge you like this,” said Obama. After the ceremony, the Obama family served a traditional Thanksgiving meal to homeless veterans and others.