Obama olive branch to Trump

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama welcomed his successor, Donald Trump, to the White House, extending an olive branch to a man he has blasted as unfit to serve as commander in chief.

Yesterday’s Oval Office meeting is the symbolic start of the transition of power from Obama, a Democrat who ushered in a sweeping health care law and brokered a landmark nuclear accord with Iran, and Trump, a Republican who has promised to wipe away those initiatives. Trump takes office on January 20.

First lady Michelle Obama planned to meet privately in the White House with Trump’s wife, Melania.

The expected show of civility at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue contrasted with postelection protests across a politically divided country.

Demonstrators from New England to the heartland and the West Coast vented against the election winner, chanting “Not my president,” burning a papier-mache Trump head, beating a Trump pinata and holding signs, “Impeach Trump”. He was uncharacteristically quiet in the aftermath of his triumph and made no public appearances. He also met Vice-President-elect Mike Pence.

In Washington, Trump’s scant transition team sprang into action, scanning staff lists for top jobs and working through handover plans for government agencies.

Trump was expected to consider several loyal supporters for top jobs, including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani for attorney general or national security adviser and campaign finance chairman Steve Mnuchin for Treasury secretary.

As president-elect, Trump is entitled to get the same daily intelligence briefing as Obama – one that includes information on US covert operations, information about world leaders and other data gathered by America’s 17 intelligence agencies.

It’s unclear whether Trump will embrace many of the traditions of the presidency.

Trump will enter the White House owning his own private jet as well as a hotel just blocks away on Pennsylvania Avenue.