Donald Trump arrives for White House meeting with Barack Obama

President-elect Donald Trump has arrived at the White House for his first meeting with President Barack Obama, a symbolic start to the transition of power to the nation's 45th president.

Mr Obama was strongly critical of Mr Trump throughout the campaign, labelling him unfit to serve as a commander in chief.

Mr Trump spent years challenging the legitimacy of Mr Obama's presidency, falsely suggesting Mr Obama may have been born outside the United States.

If Mr Trump makes good on his campaign promises, he will wipe away much of what Mr Obama has done during his eight years in office. The Republican president-elect, who will govern with Congress fully under Republican control, has vowed to repeal Mr Obama's signature health care law and dismantle the landmark nuclear accord with Iran.

First lady Michelle Obama was meeting privately in the White House residence with Mr Trump's wife, Melania, while vice president Joe Biden prepared to see vice president-elect Mike Pence.

Mr Trump travelled to Washington from New York on his private jet, breaking with protocol by not bringing journalists in his motorcade or on his plane to document his historic visit to the White House. Mr Trump was strongly critical of the media during his campaign and for a time banned news organisations whose coverage he disliked from his events.

Also on Mr Trump's schedule were meetings with House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky to discuss the Republican legislative agenda.

Mr Ryan, who holds the most powerful post in Congress, was sometimes critical of Mr Trump, was slow to endorse him and did not campaign with the nominee. Mr Pence intended to join both meetings.

The anticipated show of civility contrasts with post-election scenes of protests across a politically divided country. Demonstrators from New England to the West Coast vented against the election winner on Wednesday, chanting "Not my president", burning a papier mache head of Mr Trump, beating a pinata with his likeness and carrying signs that said "Impeach Trump".

Republicans were emboldened by Mr Trump's victory over Hillary Clinton, giving the Republican control of the White House and both chambers of Congress.

"He just earned a mandate," Mr Ryan said.

In Washington, Mr Trump's scant transition team sprang into action, looking through personnel lists for top jobs and working through handover plans for government agencies.

A person familiar with the transition operations said the personnel process was still in its early stages, but Mr Trump's team was putting a premium on quickly filling key national security posts.

According to an organisational chart for the transition obtained by The Associated Press, Mr Trump was relying on experienced hands to help form his administration. National security planning was being led by former Michigan Representative Mike Rogers, who previously worked for the FBI.

Domestic issues were being handled by Ken Blackwell, a former Cincinnati mayor and Ohio secretary of state.

Mr 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. Former House speaker Newt Gingrich and Tennessee senator Bob Corker were also expected to be under consideration for foreign policy posts.

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

The White House said it would organise two exercises involving multiple agencies to help Mr Trump's team learn how to respond to major domestic incidents.

If Mr Trump makes good on his campaign promises, the nation stands on the brink of sweeping change in domestic and foreign policy. He has pledged to repeal Mr Obama's health care law and pull out of the landmark nuclear accord with Iran. He has vowed to build a wall along the US-Mexico border and temporarily ban immigration from nations with terror ties.

It is unclear whether Mr Trump will embrace many of the traditions of the presidency. He will enter the White House owning his own private jet as well as a hotel just blocks away on Pennsylvania Avenue.