Trump to pick between Bread and Butter at annual turkey pardoning ceremony

Jeanine Santucci | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Conan, the hero dog in the al-Baghdadi raid, visited the White House Conan, the Belgian Malinois military dog who was wounded in the raid that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, visited the White House.

The White House released the names of the two turkeys up for consideration for the title of "National Thanksgiving Turkey" at the official turkey pardoning ceremony: Bread and Butter.

President Donald Trump will issue a presidential pardon to the turkeys Tuesday ahead of Thanksgiving, as part of the annual holiday tradition that was made official in 1989 under former President George H.W. Bush.

Bush at the time assured animal rights activists "this fine tom turkey" would not end up on a dinner table

The 2019 birds arrived in Washington from North Carolina on Sunday, and are being hosted at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel in D.C. until their debut. The White House is conducting polling on social media and its website to determine the winner of the title.

Photos of Bread and Butter sitting on hotel beds and being wheeled on luggage carts in their carriers were shared to social media by the White House.

Bread and Butter love to watch college basketball and NASCAR, and weigh in at 45 and 47 pounds, respectively.

Meet your National Thanksgiving Turkey candidates!



First up, "Bread," who loves college basketball and a cold Cheerwine: pic.twitter.com/HoIkO2K2V3 — The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 25, 2019

"Butter" likes to snack on sweet potato fries and is currently training for a personal best in the turkey trot.



Don't forget to VOTE for the National Thanksgiving Turkey! 🦃 Poll open NOW until Tuesday, November 26, at 11 a.m. ET! pic.twitter.com/UODVwpX0q8 — The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 25, 2019

Last year, Peas the turkey beat out Carrots for the title, but both were pardoned and sent to live out their days in Virginia at Gobbler's Rest, where they are cared for by Virginia Tech students and veterinarians, according to the White House.

"Even though Peas and Carrots have received a presidential pardon, I have warned them that House Democrats are likely to issue them both subpoenas," Trump joked at last year's ceremony.