melania trump held the annual thanks giving turkey pardoning ceremony in the white house rose guard. -- garden. >> ladies and gentlemen, the president of the united states and mrs. trump. [applause] president 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 today by our great first lady, melania. [applause] on behalf of the entire trump family, i want to wish all ericans a very, very happy thanksgiving. [applause] at this time of the year we reflects on all of the many blessings in our lives. we're also very glad to be joined by the chairman of the national turkey federation, jeff suban along with his wife marsha, his father john, his sons peter and samuel and their very beautiful families. thank you very much for being here. thank you. thank you. jeff, thank you. thanksgiving is a time of great american traditions and today we

continue a very special one when a lucky turkey gets a presidential pardon. that turkey is so lucky. i've never seen such a beautiful turkey. it has been stated that president abraham lincoln, honest abe, was the first president to grant such a pardon after his son tad befriended the christmas turkey and imemployered his father please, dad, please, save it in in grand tradition, i am pleased to announce that today's lucky bird and guest of honor is named peas,in his alternate named car. of this vote was divided by a fair and open election conducted on the white house website. this was a fair election.

p's and carrots are the very first national thanksgiving turkeys from the very great state of south dakota. love south dakota. we ares occasion, excited to be joined by governor-elect, a real friend of ours, kristi noem. stand up. congratulations. [applause] present come: -- trump: congratulations. have wyomingpy to congresswoman, a friend of mine, liz cheney with us. she just had a big victory also.

that was a great victory. they know what they are doing in congress. these turkeys were raised by a wonderful farmer from riverside. this is something that he's very proud of. i want to think ruben for having done a great job. where is ruben? rubin, stand up. great job. that's a good-looking turkey. thank you very much. peas and carrots were two out of a group of 50 exceptional turkeys raised for this event. you can see that by looking at them. they are known as the presidential flock. after their good fortune today, peas and carrots will live out the rest of their days at gobblers rest on the campus of virginia tech where they will enjoy a beautiful private enclosure under the care of poultry science students and

veterinarians. there will be well taken care of at virginia tech. it won't be entirely a rest. and carrotspeas have received a presidential pardon, i have warned them that house democrats are likely to issue them both subpoenas. [laughter] nonetheless, in the spirit of thanksgiving, i will be issuing both peas and carrots a presidential pardon. unfortunately, i can't guarantee that your pardons won't be enjoyed by the ninth circuit. always happens. guaranteed. aside, this is a time for americans to unite together in a spirit of love, understanding, unity and joy as one very proud american family. our nation is doing well.

we are now at the beginning of a national. -- national period of thanksgiving. as we give thanks for all the blessings we have been bestowed, it really has been blessing after blessing after blessing. we are all very thankful. we also pray for those in need, especially our fellow citizens impacted by the devastating wildfires in california. i just came back, i've never seen anything like it. probably nobody has. all hearts are joined with theirs. we give thanks for the family and loved ones who enrich our lives, lift our spirits, and fill our days with joy. , whove thanks to god continues to shed his almighty grace upon this magnificent land that 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 to protect our -- who protect our flag. as we gather together this week with those we love, we share our gratitude to all of those who spend this holiday very far from home, serving in our military overseas. we send our eternal gratitude to the heroes who keep america safe, strong, proud, prosperous and free. we ask god to always watch over these incredible, brave americans as they faithfully defend our nation and as they defend our home. now it's time to grant peas and carrots the pardon they have been waiting for. they are extremely lucky birds. everyone, have a very

happy thanksgiving. god bless you all. god bless america. thank you very much. thank you. everyone, have a very happy thanksgiving. thank you very much. [applause] pres. trump: peas, i hereby grant you a full pardon. [laughter] [applause] pres. trump: thank you very much, everybody. thank you. [applause] pres. trump: thank you very much. [applause]

♪ >> president trump talk to members of the u.s. military across the world by conference call this thanksgiving morning. he also responded to reporters questions after the call about issues he is facing. this is nearly 50 minutes.

thank you all very much. warriors,ur great hello and happy thanksgiving. over in the united states as you know, and you are celebrating it where you are throughout the world and we will talk to you individually. we are honored to be joined by great patriots. you are great patriots representing each branch of the armed services. melania and i want to express our gratitude for the sacrifices you make to defend our nation. while you're away from your loved ones, i hope you will take solace in knowing all of the american families you also close to your heart are all doing well. the nation is doing well economically, better than anywhere in the world. we are the hot nation of the world. nice to know you are fighting for something i