Washington, Nov 27 (IANS): It is an annual tradition for the past 25 years that the US president formally pardons a turkey at the White House on the eve of Thanksgiving. President Barack Obama pardoned this year's lucky turkeys at a brief ceremony.

"I am here to announce what I'm sure will be the most talked about executive action this month," Xinhua quoted Obama as saying Wednesday, referring to the executive actions he issued last week on immigration that are opposed by Republicans.

"Today I'm taking an action fully within my legal authority -- the same kind of action taken by Democrat and Republican presidents before me -- to spare the lives of two turkeys, Mac and Cheese, from a terrible and delicious fate," he added.

Cheese was voted online to become the official National Thanksgiving Turkey this year, Obama said. Only Cheese was on hand for the ceremony.

Both Cheese and Mac were raised at Cooper Farms in US state of Ohio. The birds will get to live out the rest of their days on a Virginia estate, Obama said.