Trump cracks impeachment jokes during turkey pardoning ceremony, says birds have already been subpoenaed by Adam Schiff
President Donald Trump is about to observe the last Thanksgiving before the US goes to the national polls next year. And he ensured that he didn’t miss the political point on the occasion. On Tuesday, November 26, the maverick president had fun while pardoning the national Thanksgiving turkey and also joked saying the bird remained calm even when threatened by a subpoena from House Democrats.
Trump targeted his Opposition who have launched an impeachment inquiry over a whistleblower complaint that he had put pressure on the president of Ukraine to investigate his Democratic rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter.
The turkey, named Butter, received the traditional pardon at the Rose Garden of the White House where some Republican lawmakers were present among the guests. The president even praised them, calling them “warriors” for defending him in the impeachment inquiry. The GOP lawmakers included Mark Meadows and David Rouzer of North Carolina and Jason Smith of Missouri.
Trump said Butter and his companion Bread were brought up specially by farmer Willie Jackson to remain composed under all conditions, adding such skills will be handy since the birds have “already received subpoenas to appear in Adam Schiff’s basement on Thursday.”
'Seems Democrats accusing me of being too soft on turkey'
“It seems the Democrats are accusing me of being too soft on turkey,” Trump said while referring to the birds. “But Bread and Butter, I should note that unlike previous witnesses, you and I have actually met. It’s very unusual.”
A series of hearings are taking place in the impeachment procedure to corner Trump over his alleged Ukraine action. The president, through his light words at the turkey-pardoning occasion, referred to a parade of mid-level government witnesses who have testified in the hearings that are run by Adam Schiff, a California Democrat and the chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Trump also came under massive criticism both from the Democrats and his own party for drastically withdrawing troops from northern Syria and leaving America's local allies Kurds exposed to regional power Turkey.
Trump, who also thanked members of armed forces and their families on the occasion for their services, later flew to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, with his family. The president even addressed a rally in the Sunshine State.
The tradition of pardoning turkey as part of the Thanksgiving was started by late president George H W Bush in 1989. Presidents in between were also known to grant pardon to the birds. Butter and Bread will move to their new home with the rest of the pardoned turkeys at Gobbler’s Rest at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg along with the other pardoned ones. There, they will be taken care of by students and veterinarians.