Trump's transition: What has happened so far

By law and by tradition, the peaceful transition of power is a hallmark of American democracy.

At noon on Jan. 20, 2017, we will see the end of Barack Obama’s presidency and the start of Donald Trump’s presidency happen simultaneously.

The work of making that change is not easy, but it is quick.

Here’s the latest news on the transition.

Christie's out: It was announced Friday that Vice President-elect Mike Pence is replacing New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as the head of the transition team. Pence, along with Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, will take over from Christie, who had served as transition chairman since May. It is believed the recent conviction of two of Christie's top aides for closing a bridge and thereby causing a traffic jam, may have been the reason for Christie's demotion. Prosecutors said the bridge was closed in retaliation against a Democratic mayor who didn't endorse Christie in his 2013 re-election.

New vice chairmen: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Defense Intelligence Agency Director Michael T. Flynn and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson were all named vice chairmen Friday after Christie was demoted.

The two met: President Barack Obama met with President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday to talk about the transition of power from one to the other. It was the first time the two had ever met, Trump said. The meeting lasted about 90 minutes. It had been scheduled for 15 minutes. Trump's wife, Melania, met with first lady Michelle Obama in the White House residence.

A new website: Trump and his team launched a White House transition website and Twitter account on Thursday. The site, greatagain.gov, details the incoming Trump administration's plans and will offer position papers and an update on who may be asked to serve in Trump's Cabinet.

Been working for a while: The Trump team did not just start the transition on Wednesday. Trump's campaign has had dozens of staffers working in government-provided space in Washington since August in the event Trump would win the election. The staffers have been developing policy papers and personnel lists and making other plans.

Help wanted: Some 4,000 jobs will have to be filled in a new Trump administration. Around 1,000 of those jobs are political appointments, which need to be made by Jan. 20. The most senior positions require Senate confirmation. 

An invite: The British prime minister's office said Donald Trump has invited Theresa May to visit him "as soon as possible" after he takes office. May's office said in a statement that Trump "set out his close and personal connections with, and warmth for, the U.K."

Been there, done that. Got the T-shirt: Jimmy Carter said President-elect Trump needs Americans' "support and our prayers" as he prepares to take office. Carter briefly discussed the election at a conference on Thursday. He said he spoke to Trump and Hillary Clinton on Wednesday and said he understood how both candidates felt because he had both won and lost an election. "We have a lot in common," Carter said.

Cox Media Group