President says it will be up to Trump to appoint a team that serves his policies

In trying to get Hillary over the line, the president forgot why voters chose him in 2008

Party dominance in Congress a key factor in policy-making outlook for next president

Democrats go on the offensive as voter enthusiasm slips in wake of revived FBI inquiry

Camp criticises ‘jaw-dropping’ contrast between treatment of candidate investigations

Republican candidate Donald Trump criticises his rival after Comey allegations

Democratic nominee steps up defence against email inquiry: ‘There is no case here’

Unpopular presidential candidates make fight for Congress highly competitive

Filipinos say Democratic candidate ‘has always been a friend of ours, from way back’

Republican calls leaked tape of his vulgar boasts about groping women ‘a distraction’

For first time, Democrats join Republicans to support vote overruling president’s veto

Influential New York Democrat says he does not believe Tehran will change

His supporters are thrilled to see the Barack Obama they voted for is back

Senators voted to pass most significant surveillance reform for decades

Proposed trade deal divides Democrats and fires up party’s 2016 race for White House

Minister for Foreign Affairs is the only foreign dignitary to speak at opening events

Defeat has left the US president free to resume being the consummate outsider

President to outline executive actions today that may help five million ‘undocumented’

Mitch McConnell says he will work with White House but not on Obamacare

Obama and Democrats suffer heavy defeats as GOP rule Congress for first time in eight years

Obama’s second term could get more complicated if Democrats lose control of Senate

Kansas billionaires have been accused of ‘trying to buy the country’

A ‘strongly worded’ letter sent from the influential philanthropic group to US Senate

Most US presidents end up as lame ducks. But Barack Obama’s power has waned early, and in November’s midterm elections he will struggle to keep control of the US Senate. One of the key battlegrounds is North Carolina

Patent office cancels Washington football team’s registered trademarks, ruling that team name is offensive

Obama visiting Europe for four days of meetings with EU allies

Move comes after US steps up response to Ukraine crisis

There are many things the unpopular US president just doesn’t get

Robert Gates served under Bush and Obama but above all he was the ‘soldiers’ secretary’

America Letter: the biggest gathering of grass-root conservatives in the US is under way

Boehner fails to unite Tea Party wing and moderates to block Bill’s passage

Possible compromise on Tehran’s claimed ‘right to enrich’ uranium

Simon Carswell on last night’s US Senate deal approving short-term government funding

Republican leaders concede defeat in healthcare legislation battle

White House and Senate Democrats reject latest Republicans offer on debt deal

Hopes deal will bring a halt to fiscal standoff before US borrowing authority runs out

The reported plan under discussion would raise the $16.7 trillion debt ceiling by enough to cover borrowing needs into 2014

US president reports progress on deal to reopen government

Republican senators claim deal to extend debt limit unlikely by Thursday deadline

World Bank president says failing to act could cause spike in global interest rates