Trump begins to play catch-up on transition to White House as Clinton …

Emboldened Republicans claimed a mandate Wednesday for President-elect Donald Trump after his astonishing election triumph, and an emotional Hillary Clinton told crestfallen supporters the GOP victor deserved a "chance to lead." President Barack Obama pledged a smooth transition of power.

Trump likely to fill up his Cabinet with DC outsiders

He's the ultimate outsider, so Donald Trump's Cabinet is likely to include appointees who have little or no connection to Washington. Ex-Mayor Rudy Giuliani, one of Trump's most eager campaign attack dogs, is considered the front-runner for attorney general.

Trump’s legacy could be defined early with Supreme Court pick

Donald Trump will quickly begin to define his presidential legacy by nominating a new Supreme Court justice as one of his first acts in office. The high court has had a vacancy since the sudden passing of Justice Antonin Scalia in February , despite a strident effort by President Obama to replace the conservative with his own choice, Merrick Garland.

How a Trump administration affects Texas Read Story Jason Whitely

Republican president-elect Donald Trump delivers his acceptance speech during his election night event at the New York Hilton Midtown in the early morning hours of November 9, 2016 in New York City. DALLAS As the surprise settles in, Texans are taking a closer look at how a Trump administration will affect this state.

VA: Employee emailed veterans’ personal data to himself

The Department of Veterans Affairs has warned more than 2,100 veterans in Eastern Colorado and parts of Kansas that their personal information may have been compromised when an employee emailed documents to himself. An agency employee told The Associated Press that he is the person who emailed the information to himself, describing it as unauthorized wait lists used by VA health care facilities in Colorado.

Fractured Republicans come together in face of Trump triumph

U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan gestures to the crowd during an 'Election Night event' in Janesville, Wisconsin, U.S. November 8, 2016. The U.S. Capitol is seen the day after the election of Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election in Washington, U.S., November 9, 2016.

Clinton urges nation to give Trump the a oechance to leada

NOVEMBER 09: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton concedes the presidential election at the New Yorker Hotel on November 9, 2016 in New York City. Republican candidate Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election in the early hours of the morning in a widely unforeseen upset.

Despite his surprise victory, Trump still underperformed most Republican Senate candidates

The Republicans had an uphill battle to keep the Senate in 2016, given that they would be defending a number of seats in blue-leaning states. As Hillary Clinton's candidacy gained strength at various points over the summer and fall, it seemed even more likely that the Senate would flip back from red to blue, two years after it went the other direction.

Did Gary Johnson and Jill Stein Voters Cost Hillary Clinton The Election?

Of course, they could blame the Democratic Party for willfully tipping the scales in favor of ensuring the nomination of a candidate who The Intercept 's Glenn Greenwald aptly described as "a deeply unpopular, extremely vulnerable, scandal-plagued candidate, who - for very good reason - was widely perceived to be a protector and beneficiary of all the worst components of status quo elite corruption." They could also blame the lack of enthusiasm for either candidate, which produced a far lower-than-expected turnout , particularly in swing states.

Sen. Banks resigns from Indiana Senate upon election to Congress

State Sen. Jim Banks has resigned his seat in the General Assembly following his election to northeastern Indiana's 3rd District congressional seat. The Columbia City Republican sent a letter to Senate President Pro Tem David Long resigning the seat effective at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Local Republicans and Democrats hope for unity after bruising national election

At a time in the evening when the outcome of the national election was still in doubt, both local Democrats and Republicans expressed hope that regardless of the final results, the country would come together and support whoever won the presidential election. The Democrats were gathered at the Dibble Family Center to watch both national and local election results coming in and the Republicans were at Terry Hills.

Shea-Porter defeats Guinta to win U.S. House seat

Democrat Carol Shea-Porter has won back her seat in Congress, defeating incumbent Republican Rep. Frank Guinta in their fourth consecutive matchup in New Hampshire. The 63-year-old will represent the 1st Congressional District, which spans eastern New Hampshire.

Hassan, Ayotte US Senate race still too close to call

New Hampshire's U.S. Senate race remained suspenseful though less significant to the national political scene on Wednesday, while Democrats won the two House seats and a Republican will return to the governor's office. The tight race between Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte and Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan took top billing as one of half a dozen contests around the country that would determine which party controls the Senate next year.

With Trump win, Republican chairman Priebus emerges as key adviser

Donald Trump's White House victory puts a spotlight on Reince Priebus, an establishment Republican figure who emerged as a trusted adviser to the New York businessman and helped encourage discipline in the campaign's final weeks. In a pre-election interview, Priebus told Reuters that Trump won over voters who were frustrated with Washington and its politicians.