gentlemen, the president of united states and mrs. trump. [applause] pres. trump: thank you very much. please be seated. good afternoon everyone. a very special day at the white house. we are thrilled to be joined ,oday by our great first lady melania. [applause] pres. trump: on behalf of the entire trump family, i wanted to wish all americans a very happy thanksgiving.

year, weime of the reflect on all the many blessings in our lives. byare very glad to be joined the chairman of the national turkey federation, along with his wife, his father, his sons, and they're very beautiful families -- and their very beautiful families. thank you. greatgiving is a time of american traditions and today we continue a very special one, when a lucky turkey gets a presidential pardon. that turkey is so lucky. never seen such a beautiful turkey. it has been stated that president abraham lincoln was the first president to grant such a pardon after his son befriended the christmas turkey

and implored his father, please save it. tradition, i am pleased to announce that today's like you bird and guest of honor -- lucky bird and guest of honor along with his alternate name of carrots. the winner of this vote was decided by a fair and open election conducted on the white house website. this was a fair election. refused toly carrots concede and demanded a recount. youots i am sorry to tell the resulted not change. -- result did not change. peas and carrots are the first national thanksgiving turkeys from the very great state of south dakota.

for this occasion, we're excited to be joined by governor-elect -- congratulations. she just ran a very great race against a very capable opponent. it was really something special. havee also happy to wyoming congresswoman, friend of mine, liz cheney. she also had a big victory. that was a great victory. they know what they are doing. peas and carrots were raised by a wonderful farmer from riverside. this is something he is very proud of. i want to thank ruben for having done a great job.

great job. that is a good-looking turkey. peas and carrots were two out of agreed -- out of a group of 50 exceptional turkeys raised for this event. together, they are known as the presidential flock. after their good fortune today, peas and carrots will both live out the rest of their days at gobbler's rest on the campus of virginia tech where they will enjoy a beautiful private enclosure under the care of poultry science students and veterinarians. they will be taking care of at virginia tech. -- taken care of at virginia tech. even though peas and carrots have received a presidential pardon, i have warned them that house democrats are likely to issue them both subpoenas.

nonetheless, in the spirit of thanksgiving, i will be issuing both peas and carrots a presidential pardon. unfortunately i cannot guarantee that your pardons will not be enjoyed by the ninth circuit. it always happens. , this is a time for americans to unite together in a spirit of love, aserstanding, unity and joy one very proud american family. our nation is doing well. we are at the beginning of a national period of thanksgiving. as we pause to give thanks for all the blessings that we have been bestowed, it really has been blessing after blessing. we are all very thankful, and we also pray for those in need, especially our fellow citizens

impacted by the devastating wildfires in california where i just came back. all american hearts are joined with bears -- with theirs. we give thanks for loved ones who enrich our lives and fill our days with joy. whoive thanks to god continues to shed his almighty grace across this magnificent land we all love so much. we are truly blessed to be americans. this is an incredible time for our country. prosperity is soaring all across our land. we are especially thankful for the men and women who protect our families and protect our flag. as we gather together this week with those we love, we share our gratitude to those who spend this holiday very far from home.

we send our eternal gratitude to the heroes who keep america safe , strong, proud, prosperous and free. we ask god to always watch over incredible brave americans as they faithfully defend our nation and as they defend our home. now it is time to grant peas and carrots the pardon they have been waiting for. they are extremely lucky birds. thank you everyone. have a very happy thanksgiving. god bless you all and god bless america. [applause] thank you very much.

pres. trump: pea, i -- peas, i hereby grant you a full pardon. thank you very much, everybody.

>> we're expecting to hear from secretary of state mike pompeo shortly. his statements will begin in just a few minutes here on c-span. we will bring it to you live. first, some of today's washington journal. next hour of discussion about issues that are of importance to veterans. two people joining us for this discussion here in washington, d.c. we are joined by will fisher, the government relations director and dan caldwell of concern veterans for americans. he is their executive director. -- host: