RALEIGH, NC — Just days after a lavish ceremony at the White House, a turkey pardoned by President Donald Trump has been arrested in North Carolina on charges of driving while intoxicated.
The turkey, identified only by the mononym “Gobble,” was pardoned Tuesday as part of the annual White House turkey pardon ceremony. Gobble was also granted clemency for a series of criminal convictions including tax fraud, extortion and racketeering.
Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce said that the 18-week-old bird refused to cooperate after being stopped late Monday evening.
“At around 9:30 p.m., officers conducted a routine traffic stop after noticing Mr. Gobble speeding and driving erratically on Highway 401 near the Raleigh Convention Center,” Boyce said. “When officers attempted to administer a field sobriety test, the suspect became agitated and began displaying aggressive behaviors including pecking, flapping and reaching for a gun.”
While Trump has so far offered no comment on the arrest, the President has reportedly unfollowed Gobble on Truth Social.