WATCH LIVE: Trump pardons Gobble and Waddle turkeys for Thanksgiving

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump plans to grant a ceremonial pardon to two turkeys and travel to his private Florida resort on Tuesday to celebrate Thanksgiving, a respite during a tumultuous and uncertain chapter of his second term.

Trump is expected to pardon the turkeys at 12 noon EST. Watch the live stream in our video player above.

Waddle and Gobble, who will be rescued from the dinner table, enjoyed a luxurious hotel stay before their visit to the White House. Pardoning Türkiye is a presidential tradition dating back years.

He watches: Tracing the origins and importance of the Turkish presidential pardon

However, Thanksgiving may not provide Trump with much political relief after Democrats scored sweeping victories in New Jersey, Virginia and elsewhere earlier this month. Some research suggests that holiday meals may be more expensive this year, despite the president’s insistence otherwise, a reminder of ongoing frustration over rising prices.

Meanwhile, Trump is struggling to push through a plan to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine after a previous version faced swift criticism from European allies and even some Republicans. The US military is also preparing to target Venezuela with military strikes, as part of an anti-drug operation that could ultimately destabilize the country’s leadership.

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In Washington, Trump faces the prospect of a split Republican coalition before next year’s midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. Some members of his party have already taken the rare step of bypassing the president by successfully pushing legislation to force the Justice Department to release more documents about the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Trump faced a setback in court this week when a federal judge brought cases against James Comey and Letitia James, targets of the president’s retaliation campaign.

He watches: A history of how lucky turkeys got a presidential pardon

Comey, the former FBI director who was fired by Trump during his first term, was accused of making a false statement and obstructing Congress. James, the New York prosecutor who investigated the president between his two terms in office, was charged with mortgage fraud.

Both have pleaded not guilty and said the prosecutions were politically motivated, pointing to Trump’s public demands for the Justice Department to punish his enemies.

The judge said the interim US attorney, a former member of Trump’s personal legal team, who obtained the indictments, was appointed illegally. However, the decision was made without bias, so the Justice Department could once again try to charge Comey and James.

Read more: 5 ways to find common ground during the holidays

All the latest developments are contributing to a moment of frenetic activity for the White House, which usually settles into a quiet and festive holiday season.

However, despite the traditional Christmas tree arriving on Monday, the presidential residence will be much different this year. Although holiday tours are expected to continue, Trump’s decision to demolish the building’s east wing to make way for a new ballroom has turned part of the White House grounds into a construction site.