Trump and Schumer: From potential allies to antagonists

In this May 12, 2016, file photo Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., looks from behind a poster of then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, while he speaks with reporters about Trump, on Capitol Hill in Washington. In the weeks after November's election, President-elect Trump and incoming Senate Democratic Leader Schumer sounded like potential allies.

To celebrate inaugural or not? Trump critics are divided

In this Dec. 8, 2016, file photo, construction continues for the Inauguration and swearing-in ceremonies for President-elect Donald Trump on the Capitol steps in Washington. It's typically an unquestioned honor to participate in the inauguration of an American president.

Trump Formally Nominates Former Sen. Coats as Intelligence Director

President-elect Donald Trump nominated former Indiana Senator Dan Coats as U.S. director of national intelligence, giving the retired lawmaker oversight of the spy agencies that have drawn skepticism from Trump. Coats, 73, probably would face close questioning by both Republicans and Democrats about how he views the intelligence community's conclusions that Russia hacked Democratic Party computer systems in order to meddle in the U.S. presidential campaign, which Trump has repeatedly questioned.

Trump wants former Sen. Dan Coats to be intelligence chief

President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday named retired Sen. Dan Coats as national intelligence director, saying the former member of the Senate Intelligence Committee was the right person to lead the new administration's "ceaseless vigilance against those who seek to do us harm." Trump's announcement came one day after release of a declassified government report on Russian efforts to influence the presidential election.

Michelle Obama emotional in farewell speech

First lady Michelle Obama made an impassioned case for embracing diversity and welcoming all religious groups on Friday in a not-so-veiled message to her husband's successor two weeks ahead of Inauguration Day. In what was billed as her last formal speech before President Barack Obama leaves office, the first lady said at an event honouring high school counselors that the United States belonged to people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

US election hacking: Trump blames ‘negligent’ Democrats

Donald Trump says Democrats have shown "gross negligence" by allowing their servers to be hacked in the run-up to the 8 November presidential election. The US president-elect made the comments after a US intelligence report said Russian President Vladimir Putin had "sought to help Donald Trump win".

Concerns over dumping Obamacare growing among GOP lawmakers

Republicans are increasingly jittery over rushing to demolish much of President Barack Obama's health care law without having a GOP alternative that's ready to go. While nothing about revamping the nation's $3 trillion-a-year health care system will be easy, Republican leaders want congressional committees to have legislation dismantling much of Obama's overhaul ready by late January.

US goes from bandleader to bystander in Syria peace efforts

Stung by years of failure to stop Syria's bloodshed, the United States is now but a bystander to the civil war as President Barack Obama leaves office. Secretary of State John Kerry still is speaking sporadically with Russian, Turkish and Arab foreign ministers about cease-fire efforts, and there are occasional consultations with the opposition.

China’s chip policy a – threat to US security, firms’: White House

Obama administration calls for greater scrutiny of China's industrial policy as Beijing targets leading position in semiconductor design and manufacturing China's push to develop its domestic semiconductor technology threatens to harm US chip makers and put America's national security at risk, the Obama administration warned in a report that called for greater scrutiny of Chinese industrial policy. Beijing's goal to achieve a leadership position in semiconductor design and manufacturing, in part by spending US$150 billion over a 10-year period, requires an effective response to maintain US competitiveness in the industry, according to the report released on Friday.

Judge refuses to release 4 accused of beating disabled youth

A Chicago judge refused to allow four black people caught on cellphone footage taunting and beating a mentally disabled white man to post bail and leave jail, saying they are accused of such "terrible actions" that they are a danger to society. "Where was your sense of decency?" Cook County Circuit Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil asked them on Friday during their first court appearance, sounding baffled that the suspects could be charged with such cruelty toward the 18-year-old victim.

Report on Election Hacking Says Russia Plans to Do More 2 hours ago

The new, declassified report on Russian efforts to influence the presidential election has a troublesome prediction: Russia isn't done intruding in U.S. politics and policymaking. Immediately after Election Day, Russia began a "spear-phishing" campaign to try to trick people into revealing their email passwords, targeting U.S. government employees and think tanks that specialize in national security, defense and foreign policy, the report released on Friday said.

Obama’s Final Jobs Report: Big Pay Gain, Slower Hiring

Americans' paychecks rose in December at the fastest pace in more than seven years as steady hiring and low unemployment led some businesses to pay more to attract and keep workers. Employers added 156,000 jobs, a decent total that shows that moderate hiring remains sustainable 7 1/2 years after the recovery from the Great Recession began.

West Virginia senators meet EPA – Spick

President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency received positive marks from West Virginia senators this week, with one inviting him to the state to discuss issues related to Wood County communities. In a release from Trump's transition team, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said he believes Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt has the right experience to be the next EPA administrator.

Trump Slams Dems for ‘Gross Negligence’ in Russian Hacking

President-elect Donald Trump slammed the Democratic National Committee late Friday for its "gross negligence" that allowed Russia to hack into its systems during the presidential campaign. The post came after Trump earlier Friday was briefed by U.S. intelligence officials on a report blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin for directing the hacking of the DNC and other party operatives to try to sway the election to the Republican candidate.

Jobs report reveals big pay gains, slower hiring

Americans' paychecks rose in December at the fastest pace in more than seven years as steady hiring and low unemployment led some businesses to pay more to attract and keep workers. Employers added 156,000 jobs, a decent total that shows that moderate hiring remains sustainable 7 years after the recovery from the Great Recession began.

US report: Putin ordered effort to help Trump, hurt Clinton

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a hidden campaign to influence America's presidential election in favor of Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton, U.S. intelligence agencies declared Friday in the government's first formal allegation supporting sensational claims that Trump and his supporters have staunchly resisted. The intelligence report, an unclassified version of a more-detailed classified account given earlier to Trump, the White House and congressional leaders, withheld the government's evidence to back up its assertions.

With weak leadership in DC, look for more federalism

WASHINGTON Before the election, conventional wisdom had the GOP coming apart, had the Tea Party at war with traditional Republicans, and had fiscal hawks battling social conservatives. After the election, it was the Democratic Party coming apart, losing an election to a reality TV star and losing touch with blue-collar white voters, once the core of Democratic support.