US President-elect Donald Trump said he will consider an "amended" version of Barack Obama's signature health care law - a shift in position after repeatedly vowing on the campaign trail that he would repeal the measure.
Mr Trump explained in an interview with The Wall Street Journal today that his shift came after White House talks yesterday with US President Barack Obama, who asked him to consider preserving parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
"Either Obamacare will be amended, or repealed and replaced," Mr Trump told the newspaper.
"I told him I will look at his suggestions, and out of respect, I will do that."
Mr Trump's repeated attacks on the law were a central focus of his campaign, using it to needle rival Hillary Clinton, as insurance premiums rose for some subscribers in battleground states.
But, while the ACA has faced unanimous Republican opposition since its enactment in 2010, the question of how GOP lawmakers could replace it has remained unanswered.
The law is a signature achievement of Mr Obama's presidency and the president vetoed Republican legislation last year which would have gutted central provisions.
Today, Mr Trump shook up his White House transition team, appointing running mate Mike Pence to head the process of filling key administration posts, and demoting New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to a deputy role.
"The mission of our team will be clear: put together the most highly qualified group of successful leaders who will be able to implement our change agenda in Washington," Mr Trump said in a statement as his team gathered in Trump Tower in New York.
Three of Mr Trump's grown children, Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump, will also sit on the transition team's executive committee, he said.
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Earlier, Mr Trump denounced Americans who protested against his election last night, but hours later praised them, underscoring contradictions that have raised questions about his leadership style.
"Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud!" Mr Trump tweeted early this morning.
It was a sharp shift in tone from his tweet hours earlier dismissing the demonstrators in eight cities as "professional protesters, incited by the media".
Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2016
However, several hours later a very different message was tweeted from his account.
Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2016
The contradictory tweets were further evidence of Mr Trump's mixed messages since he announced his candidacy 17 months ago.
The New York Times reported on Sunday that the President-elect's aides had taken control of his Twitter feed, which he had used - often controversially - throughout the campaign.
It appears that, for a short time at least, he took back ownership of his account to react to the protests.
After Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton conceded defeat early on Wednesday, he took a far more conciliatory tone than he had often displayed during his campaign and promised to be a president for all Americans.
Full RTÉ coverage of US Election 2016 ¦ In Pictures: Protests over Trump election
Anti-Trump demonstrators voiced concerns his presidency, due to start on 20 January, would infringe on Americans' civil and human rights.
They cited his campaign promises to restrict immigration and register Muslims, as well as allegations Mr Trump, a former reality-TV star, sexually abused women.
In various cities, marchers chanted slogans including, "No hate! No fear! Immigrants are welcome here!" and carried signs reading: "Impeach Trump."
White supremacist groups including the Ku Klux Klan have praised Trump's election and some civil rights advocacy groups have reported a spike of attacks on minorities following his victory.
Mr Trump has rejected the KKK's support.
Crowds on the streets of eight cities including New York, Washington, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, last night were diverse in their ethnic makeup and largely made up of young adults and college students.
