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Wiles, 67, who stressed discipline as Trump re-election chief, to become first ever female presidential chief of staffSusie Wiles, who was named Donald Trump's new White House chief of staff, will be the first woman in US history to serve in the role as gatekeeper to the president, a position that typically wields great influence.The chief of staff position is usually the first appointee that a president-elect names, and may oversee the transition from one administration. Once Trump is sworn in as president, Wiles will also be in charge of all White House policy, serving as a confidante and adviser and managing day-to-day affairs. Continue reading...

McCormick ousts incumbent Democratic Bob Casey after contentious and expensive race, widening party's majorityThe Republican Dave McCormick won the Senate race in the battleground state of Pennsylvania on Thursday, denying the Democratic incumbent, Bob Casey, a fourth term and expanding his party's majority in the upper chamber. Despite the call from the Associated Press, Casey has refused to concede the race, as the top state election official reported that tens of thousands of ballots remained uncounted.When the AP called the race at 4.09pm ET on Thursday, two days after polls closed in Pennsylvania, McCormick led by 0.5 points. The narrow margin raised the possibility of a recount, although Casey faces an uphill climb in overcoming McCormick's lead of roughly 30,000 votes.Trump wins the presidency - how did it happen?Full presidential election results and mapAbortion ballot measure results by stateRepublicans retake control of the SenateSenate, House and governor results Continue reading...

I know we must fight to protect the rights we have in Australia but which the US is on the cusp of losing (or has already lost)

Wiles, who the president-elect often publicly praised for her leadership, will be first woman to hold influential role

A wind-driven wildfire roared through rural and residential communities north-west of Los Angeles, charring more than 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares) and levelling scores of homes. Hundreds of firefighters battled the blaze through the night using ground resources and helicopters, according to the Ventura county fire department. At least two people were injured and several structures were damaged or destroyed by the fire in Ventura County, the fire department has reported.

Trump has been a persistent critic of the Fed, which lowered rates for the second time in a row as inflation continues to easeUS Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said he would not resign if he received any pressure from Donald Trump's new administration to step down as the central bank lowered interest rates by a quarter-point Tuesday afternoon.Trump has been a persistent critic of the Fed and its independence, calling its officials boneheads" in his last administration and arguing that he should have a role in setting interest rates. Continue reading...

Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Jackson's Democratic mayor, says he never accepted a bribe' after reported indictmentThe mayor of Mississippi's capital city said on Wednesday that he had been indicted in an alleged bribery operation, and he said it was a political prosecution" to hurt his 2025 campaign for re-election.My legal team has informed me that federal prosecutors have, in fact, indicted me on bribery and related charges," Chokwe Antar Lumumba, the Jackson mayor, said in a video statement on Wednesday, WJTV and other news outlets reported. To be clear, I have never accepted a bribe of any type. As mayor, I have always acted in the best interests of the city of Jackson." Continue reading...

Prosecutors argue case falls under Idaho's crime statutes while Bryan Kohberger's lawyers declare it unconstitutionalBryan Kohberger, the man accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022, appeared at a hearing in Idaho on Thursday as his lawyers attempt to eliminate the possibility of the death penalty if he is convicted.Kohberger, who sat in court wearing a suit on Thursday, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary for the deaths of Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20, who were stabbed to death in an off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho, two years ago on 13 November 2022. He has pleaded not guilty. Continue reading...

Sanders' analysis that Democrats lost because they failed working-class voters scorned by party chair Jaime Harrison

At least 200 people gathered outside the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago to protest against Donald Trump's re-election as US president. In footage posted to social media, protesters could be seen holding banners reading 'end the Trump era' and calling for an end to the war in Gaza

X owner claims ex-president's casual conversations on Joe Rogan and other shows helped bring him to victory

Democrats are coming to terms with a new political reality for America while some - but not all that we spoke to - Republicans look ahead with excitement

The media will be under siege, but former Washington Post editor Marty Baron has some ideas for what journalists can doEverything we know about the next US president suggests that the press in America will be under siege in the next four years as never before.After all, Donald Trump has portrayed the media as the enemy of the people", has suggested that he wouldn't mind seeing journalists get shot, and, in recent months, has sued CBS News and the Pulitzer prize organization.Margaret Sullivan is a Guardian US columnist writing on media, politics and culture Continue reading...

The US president told citizens he would 'ensure a peaceful and orderly transition' to the White House after the former Republican president Donald Trump won the 5 November election. Biden confirmed he had spoken to Trump to congratulate him. He added that the US election system 'can be trusted' - a reference to Trump's baseless insistence Biden had lost in 2020

The so-called heterodoxy' endorsed the Republican's hyper-masculine promise. Their young male fans listenedLate on Tuesday night, when it became clear that Donald Trump would be re-elected as president of the United States, the so-called heterodoxy" was elated.For years, these male podcasters, influencers and public figures had marketed themselves as free-thinking pundits who evaded the bounds of political classification. Their political views could once have been described as libertarian," Anna Merlan wrote for the Guardian in August; the word used to describe them pointed to the same, derived from the Greek heteros, meaning other, and doxa, meaning opinion. Continue reading...

A lot of people say they just don't care about politics', and I'm sure that would make for an easier life. But Kamala Harris was right: we must carry on the fightWith wailing woe in the small hours, many of you shared that wrenching despair when the US election result extinguished hope. Beyond reason, beyond reckoning, a nation that was once the beacon of the democratic world has knowingly elected a dangerous, racist demagogue, a pussy-grabbing" criminal who tried to overthrow the government, a wild conspiracy spreader, a squalid, reckless beast of fathomless vanity and corruption. Caligula, Commodus, Nero, Domitian ... This is the way a civilisation dies: by suicide not murder.Donald Trump could now command both houses of Congress and the supreme court, with no steadying countervailing instinct for national self-preservation. America first" means no allies, no special relationships", tariffs for all. Encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want", Nato be damned. He will send in the military to force mass deportations of millions of migrants. He threatens the justice system with revenge, with protesters and opponents branded the enemy within". This democratically elected self-described dictator" can do whatever he wants. And the tides will carry this poison across the Atlantic, invigorating Europe's hard right from Nigel Farage to Viktor Orban, Geert Wilders to Marine Le Pen, the Alternative fur Deutschland to the Sweden Democrats.Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnistDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

Experts say many don't know what to do now that Trump can carry out vow to run biggest deportation in US history'Fear is rippling through undocumented communities across the US as Donald Trump prepares to take the White House, promising record deportations after an election campaign filled with hate speech against migrants and a first term marked by anti-immigration crackdowns.In the final run-up to the presidential election, Areli Hernandez traveled to Phoenix to talk to voters about what mass deportations and, for many, a new form of family separation could mean for millions. Continue reading...

A Kamala-Harris-like fate could await Keir Starmer unless he becomes more class conscious - even populistWhatever determinedly positive things centre-left leaders around the world have said about Donald Trump's victory in public, in private they must have greeted it with a shudder. Not just because of the dark and chaotic prospect of another Trump presidency, but because in many ways the defeated Kamala Harris is just like them. She is a hard worker, a patient reformer, a reasonably good communicator, an instinctive mover towards the ideological centre, a supposed antidote to rightwing populism, and yet also an incumbent, in an era when such perceived protectors of the status quo are widely despised.Keir Starmer may have particular cause to worry. On her campaign website, Harris promised to bring together" trade unions and business, grow the economy" and increase both basic pay rates and employment. She said she had voted for legislation creating hundreds of thousands of high-quality clean-energy jobs", and ensuring America's energy security". She said she would cut red tape" to build more housing". She pledged tough, smart solutions to secure the border ... and reform our broken immigration system." Above all, she presented her rightwing opponent as cruel", dangerous" and unfit to lead". Continue reading...

Residents advised to keep doors and windows locked as police use thermal imaging cameras to search for animalsThese monkeys went bananas: 40 monkeys escaped from a research facility in South Carolina, and local authorities on Wednesday warned residents to stay away.Residents are strongly advised to keep doors and windows secured to prevent these animals from entering homes," the Yemassee police department said on Facebook this week. If you spot any of the escaped animals, please contact 911 immediately and refrain from approaching them." Continue reading...

There were boosts for Liverpool and Manchester United (by proxy). We hand out honours and dishonours from the latest round of actionLiverpool Continue reading...

Former New York City mayor ordered to report to court after date passed to surrender valuables as part of $148m defamation judgementRudy Giuliani will appear in a New York City courtroom on Thursday to explain to a federal judge why he has not surrendered his valuables as part of a $148m defamation judgment.Lewis Liman, a US district judge, ordered the former New York City mayor to report to court after lawyers for the two former Georgia election workers who were awarded the large judgment visited Giuliani's Manhattan apartment last week only to discover it had been cleared out weeks earlier. Continue reading...

Americans believe firmly in democracy, and Trump winning is not an endorsement of authoritarianismDemocracy requires faith of various kinds. It requires faith in the wisdom of the people, in the durability of its institutions and in a future that we cannot foresee.As one commentator aptly puts it, we must recognize that democracy is a process and not a destination". Continue reading...

Harris calls on her supporters to stay engaged in the fight for US democracy. Plus, prosecutors to drop criminal cases against Trump

Healthcare providers report unprecedented demand for reproductive and gender-affirming medications: We've never seen this before'When the presidential election results were handed down on Wednesday, Rebecca Gomperts, the founder of Aid Access, the No 1 supplier of abortion pills by mail in the United States, was huddled in a Paris apartment with her team of eight American physicians and 15 support staff. The group - which usually operates remotely, shipping out more than 9,000 abortion pills a month - had convened in person before the election, knowing they might have to spring into action.They were right: as news of Trump's victory spread, the website received more than 5,000 requests for abortion pills in less than 12 hours - a surge even larger than the day after Roe v Wade fell. I can see all the new requests ticking in as we're talking," Gomperts said in a phone call on Wednesday afternoon. We've never seen this before." Continue reading...

In state with one of the largest proportions of working-class voters, populist line may overcome past political allegianceNevada appears to be on the precipice of electing a Republican to the White House for the first time in two decades.I feel so happy right now, I feel fantastic," said Yolanda Wright, 47, beaming as state after state lit up red on the big screen at the Republican watch party in Las Vegas. Like many voters in this swing state, Wright voted with the GOP for the first time this year. Continue reading...

Christian nationalists will hope for increased political influence after key voting bloc helps to deliver at the pollsAt a Republican watch party early Tuesday evening in the Milwaukee suburbs, Dimitra Anderson, a 64-year-old bellydancer, clutched her boa constrictor - a pet that travels with her everywhere - and issued a confident proclamation: I'm ecstatic because I believe he's going to win in a tidal wave."The night was young, no swing states had been called yet, but Anderson, who describes herself as a born-again believer, had been following the preachings of the self-styled prophets of the Christian right. They were saying Trump would win. Continue reading...

JJ's owner tells Rayah Calkins and fiancee Lillian Glover that the restaurant stands by one thing only - the word of God'A same-sex couple planning to marry in January has called on people to peaceably protest a Washington state restaurant that refused to cater the nuptials while citing its owner's religious Christian beliefs.Meanwhile, the eatery is standing by its decision amid conflicting legal precedents that have resulted from such stands. Continue reading...

When nature calls, so does the world of literatureIt's excellent toilet reading, I say, when I'm talking about my book of some of these columns. People laugh, but on the quiet I mean it as a great compliment to myself, having done a great deal of satisfying reading over the years while perched upon my throne. I don't mean to be coarse. And I am mindful, too, of medical advice that says we shouldn't spend any longer than we have to going about our business. I also sense that it's probably a bloke thing.It's also, on reflection, possibly an ADHD thing - being forced to sit still awhile, which is good, but finding it impossible to sit in that moment without needing some distraction, which is less good. Having said that, with nothing other than reading matter available to occupy my mind, it's an opportunity to really sit and concentrate for a bit.Adrian Chiles is a broadcaster, writer and Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Democrats here were sure this time would be different, but a community leader maintains: It's not unexpected'Saginaw county's Democrats were sure that the lessons had been learned and that this time it would be different.The Kamala Harris campaign flooded this bellwether county in the crucial battleground state of Michigan with canvassers and advertising, a reaction to Hillary Clinton's complacent and, as it turned out, misguided belief that she had the area sewn up in 2016. Continue reading...

Kamala Harris fell way short as Trump's bombastic style and extreme proposals appealed to more than 70m voters

Heroics from the likes of the Detroit Lions, Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels have rightly been praised. But others are quietly having great campaignsMack has been a superstar since he first stepped foot in the league. But the future Hall of Famer has been asked to reimagine his game this season at the age of 33. As pass-rushers wind down their careers, their reps are usually restricted. They become pass-rush specialists, put on the field on passing downs solely to crush opposing quarterbacks. Call it the Von Miller path. Continue reading...

The PM gambled that he could get away with sacking Yoav Gallant during the US election, but Israelis are angry; he may have miscalculatedIn the middle of a 13-months-long, two-theatre war in Gaza and Lebanon, and a spiralling military engagement with Iran, the prime minister of Israel saw fit to dismiss the defence minister, Yoav Gallant. In his place he appointed a career politician, one Israel Katz, who was the foreign minister - not that anyone in Israel noticed him then.Katz has zero defence credentials, zero credibility with the military top brass, and zero experience in managing such a huge and complex system. That's on-brand Netanyahu; under him, four defence ministers have been fired or resigned.Alon Pinkas served as Israel's consul general in New York from 2000 to 2004. He is now a columnist for HaaretzDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

In today's newsletter: After winning Tuesday's election, America's first convicted president will assemble his transition team - here's what we know so far about his plans Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning.Kamala Harris conceded the US election to Donald Trump overnight. In a speech at Howard University, the vice-president urged supporters not to lose hope, saying this is a time to organise, to mobilise and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the future that we all know we can build together". Harris, hoarse from the frenzied campaign that began a little over 100 days ago, contrasted sharply with Trump following his defeat in the 2020 election, which he never formally conceded.Environment | It is virtually certain" that 2024 will be the hottest year on record, the European Union's space programme has found. The prognosis comes the week before diplomats meet at the Cop29 climate summit and a day after a majority of voters in the US, the biggest historical emitter of planet-heating gas, chose to make Donald Trump president.Middle East | Many Israelis were reeling after Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to dismiss his popular defence minister, Yoav Gallant, in the midst of a multifront war. The prime minister said he had fired Gallant over what he described a crisis of trust". Gallant, a member of Netanyahu's Likud party and a senior general, has been replaced by the foreign minister, Israel Katz, a Likud lawmaker and loyalist who has little military background.Politics | The Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has apologised after parliament's watchdog on bullying and harassment told him to do so for telling a security guard who asked for his ID to fuck off, everyone opens the door to me".Economy | Rachel Reeves has committed not to increase taxes at Labour's next budget and said the government would need to live within the means" of her spending plans if public services came under mounting pressure.Health | Doing just five extra minutes of exercise a day could help lower blood pressure, a study suggests. High blood pressure affects 1.28 billion adults worldwide and is one of the biggest causes of premature death. It can lead to strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, kidney damage and many other health problems, and is often described as a silent killer due to its lack of symptoms. Continue reading...

Analysts say it is hard to separate the president-elect's bluster from his actual plans but it's clear his priority is to bin many of Joe Biden's policies

While some say Trump has done much for Turnberry's economy, others claim election result is a disaster - he's a fascist'

Keir Starmer's team expected a Trump win and has long been building bridges despite political differences

Donald Trump is set to equal his vote total from the 2020 US presidential election, but Kamala Harris will fall far short of the 81 million who voted for Biden

This blog is closed, you can continue to follow updates on our US politics live blog hereDonald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States in a stunning political resurrection that sent shock waves through the country and around the world.Trump becomes the first convicted criminal to win the White House. At 78 he is also the oldest person ever elected to the office. Continue reading...

Trump world was jubilant after his election win, while confusion and foreboding reigned on the other side of America

Republicans make progress as results are returned, but US may have to wait days to learn chamber's composition

Donald's Trump extraordinary victory in divisive elections in the US dominated the UK papers on Thursday, as the world grapples with Trump 2.0

Mountain fire scorches thousands of acres north-west of Los Angeles as officials demand more help for fire crewsFast-moving fires erupted across California on Wednesday as the state was lashed by powerful winds that complicated firefighting efforts, necessitated power shutoffs and raised the danger for more ignitions.Just hours after igniting in Ventura county, the Mountain fire rapidly swept through more than 10,000 acres as flames jumped into rural and residential communities tucked close to the burning hillsides, leaving devastation in its wake. Continue reading...

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has congratulated Donald Trump on his election victory. The Ukrainian president said he welcomed Trump's idea of 'peace through strength', arguing that it would bring benefits to the US and the rest of the world. During his election campaign, Trump has threatened both a withdrawal of US commitment to Nato and a possible end to support for Ukraine in its war with Russia

Outcome in Virginia represents key victory for Democrats as they look to regain control of chamberThe Democrat and former Trump administration official Eugene Vindman has won his House race against the Republican and former army green beret Derrick Anderson in Virginia's seventh congressional district, representing a key victory for Democrats as they cling to the last glimmers of hope of regaining a majority in the lower chamber.When the Associated Press called the race at 6.24pm ET on Wednesday, almost 24 hours after polls closed in Virginia, Vindman led Anderson by two points in the seventh district, which stretches from the exurbs of Washington DC to more rural counties in the western and central parts of the state. Continue reading...

The vice-president addressed supporters and the country after her defeat by Donald Trump

Democratic nominee calls on US citizens shattered by election result to organize, mobilize and stay engaged'

The vice-president gives a concession speech at Howard University in Washington DC after cancelling her speech on election night following Donald Trump's victory. Kamala Harris urges US citizens to accept the decision of the presidential election but goes on to say she won't give up fighting for the ideologies behind her campaign. Harris specifically calls out the fight to protect abortion rights. The former president Donald Trump secured the White House on election night, and a Republican majority took the US Senate.

Sorrow pervades Howard University campus as Democratic candidate encourages supporters to keep fighting'

His voters knew what they were getting when they picked him over Kamala Harris. But his opponents cannot despairThis is an exceptionally bleak and frightening moment for the United States and the world. Donald Trump swept the electoral college and is on course to take the popular vote - giving him not merely a victory, but a mandate. If many voters gambled on him in 2016, they doubled down this time. Presented with a choice between electing the first black, female president on a promise of a sunnier future, and a racist, misogynist, twice-impeached convicted felon hawking hatred and retribution, they picked Mr Trump.The stark divide between two Americas persists. Butpolls did not predict the scale of this victory. Onlyone president has previously won two non-consecutive terms. In 2021, Mr Trump seemed brieflyto have lost his own party. Now he has increasedhis vote share across the country and multiple groups of voters. This - even more than the two assassination attempts enroute - will convince him of his invincibility.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...