Bread and Butter named as Trump's pardon turkeys

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The White House formally rolled out Monday the two turkeys who will vie to become the National Thanksgiving Turkey.

U.S. President Donald Trump will issue clemency to Bread and Butter, two turkeys from North Carolina who are currently staying at the luxurious Willard Intercontinental Hotel near the White House ahead of the formal pardon ceremony tomorrow.

The White House posted pictures of the pair at the hotel shortly before their names were made public at a ceremony at the Willard.

National Turkey Federation Chairman Kerry Doughty said the president and first lady were presented with 15 pairs of names to choose from, and Trump and his wife, Melania, selected Bread and Butter.

The public is now able to vote in a poll available on the White House's website and official Twitter account to select which bird will be granted the ceremonial amnesty and become the National Thanksgiving Turkey. Traditionally both birds are spared from becoming dinner, though only one can lay claim to the title.

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