Leaderless Democratic Party in dire straits after GOP sweeps

President Barack Obama hands over the White House to Republican Donald Trump in 71 days, leaving the Democratic Party leaderless and with few up-and-coming stars among its aging cast of stalwarts. In what appeared to be a wave election, Republicans also secured majorities they already enjoyed in the Senate and the House and in governor's mansions and state legislatures across the country.

Comey faces complicated path under Trump administration

FBI Director James Comey faces a complicated path under a Donald Trump administration. Does he try to serve out the remaining seven years of his term under a president who has publicly questioned the FBI's integrity? Or does he stay on as a safeguard against executive power and a guide for a novice president on complex national security matters? The term of the FBI director is set at 10 years as an affirmation of the bureau's political independence, and some other chiefs including Robert Mueller, Comey's predecessor, have served presidents of both parties.

The Hillary conundrum

Hillary Clinton, holding hands with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, waves to a crowd outside a New York hotel as she arrives to speak to her staff and supporters after losing the race for the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016. Earlier in the day she conceded the race to Republican president-elect Donald Trump.

Photo: Evan Vucci/AP, License: N/A, Created: 2016:11:09 03:49:22

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Trump’s election boosts Kremlin hopes for better relations

In this Nov. 9, 2016, photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin makes a toast during a ceremony for receiving diplomatic credentials from foreign ambassadors in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. In careful phrasing befitting the spy he once was, Vladimir Putin has made it clear he expects a great deal from President-elect Donald Trump.

‘It was a vote against me’: Trump win strikes fear into American Muslim community

People voting at Oakman Elementary School in the US presidential election on November 8, 2016 in Dearborn, Michigan. Fear and shock were expressed by American Muslims after Republican Donald Trump was confirmed as president-elect of the US after months of anti-Islamic stands.

What do Trump’s fiscal ideas look like?

Supporters display placards as US Republican presidential candidate and businessman Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the South Point Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 21, 2016. File picture: David Becker Washington/New York - Donald Trump won the presidency by pledging to restore a vanished and golden economic era, when growth roared, factory jobs flourished and America sat unchallenged atop the global economy.

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.

‘Flyover country’ chooses a champion

In this Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gestures during a campaign state at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in Eau Claire, Wis. In his victory speech, Trump called them America's "forgotten men and women", the workers from the coalfields of Appalachia to the hallowing manufacturing towns of the Rust Belt who propelled him to an improbable victory.

Left-wing Democrats Sanders, Warren extend olive branch to Trump…

Bernie Sanders, who galvanized young Americans during this year's Democratic primary race, said that he is ready to work with president-elect Donald Trump if he wants to "improve the lives of working families." "Donald Trump tapped into the anger of a declining middle class that is sick and tired of establishment economics, establishment politics and the establishment media," the Vermont senator said in a statement following the Republican billionaire's surprise victory, which has sent shockwaves through the United States and around the world.

Japan’s Abe to meet Trump next week: official

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is to meet US president-elect Donald Trump next week in New York, officials said Thursday, after phone talks between the two following the billionaire's shock election win. Abe and Trump spoke for about 20 minutes and tentatively set a date of November 17 for the meeting, just before Abe goes to Peru for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, a Japanese foreign ministry official told AFP.

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.