WASHINGTON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump , who has raised eyebrows by mulling his power to pardon as investigators probe possible ties between his 2016 election campaign and Russia, used his authority in a less controversial way on Tuesday to pardon a Thanksgiving turkey.

Joined by his wife, Melania, and their son, Barron, Trump entered the Rose Garden for the annual presidential tradition and granted freedom to a large white bird named Drumstick.

Im pleased to report that, unlike millions of other turkeys at this time of the year, Drumstick has a very, very bright future ahead of him, Trump said.