President Trump cracked jokes Tuesday about Democratic recount efforts in the midterm elections and his foes in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals as he pardoned two turkeys just days before Thanksgiving.
“The winner of this vote was decided by a fair and open election conducted on the White House website. This was a fair election,” Trump said as he described the process for deciding whether to pardon Peas or Carrots, the two turkeys under consideration.
“Unfortunately, Carrots refused to concede and demanded a recount. And we’re still fighting with Carrots, and I will tell you we’ve come to a conclusion. Carrots, I’m sorry to tell you the results did not change. It’s too bad for Carrots.”
[Read more: Trump pardons Thanksgiving turkeys, no word on humans]
Florida held a statewide recount this year to determine the winner in races for Senate, governor, and agriculture commissioner. Republicans won the first two of those close races.
After receiving their presidential pardons from Trump, Peas and Carrots will head to “Gobblers Rest,” located at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. The president, however, warned that Democrats, who won control of the House of Representatives in the midterm elections, might give the two turkeys trouble.
“However, if won’t be entirely a rest. Even though Peas and Carrots have received a presidential pardon, I have warned them that House Democrats are likely to issue them both subpoenas,” he said.
Trump went on to joke about the recent trouble his administration has received from the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit, which has ruled against a number of the president’s policies.
“Nonetheless in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I will be issuing both Peas and Carrots a presidential pardon,” Trump said. “Unfortunately, I can’t guarantee that your pardons won’t be enjoined by the 9th Circuit. Always happens. They’re guaranteed.”
