Donald Trump changes his mind, praises 'passionate' protesters

President-elect Donald Trump seems to be having a change of heart about those protesting the election results.

Trump had denounced the protesters in a tweet, writing that "professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!"

But he later tweeted: "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!"

Thousands have been gathering in cities across the United States to protest Trump's victory in this week's election.

At least 1,200 people - among them families with children - rallied in New York's Washington Square carrying banners reading "Peace and Love" and "Your wall can't stand in our way."

More than 1,000 people gathered in Miami, with weekend protests planned in at least half a dozen cities.

A focal point for New York protesters is Trump Tower, where the real estate tycoon-turned-world-leader has been ensconced in his luxury apartment, mapping out his next steps.

Meanwhile, Trump has shaken up his White House transition team, putting running mate Mike Pence in charge and naming a cohort of Washington insiders - and three of his children - to help nail down picks for his future cabinet.

The 70-year-old incoming president has a mammoth task of fleshing out his cabinet, as well as steering the complex transition of power, and announced he was elevating Vice President-elect Mike Pence to lead the process.

"Mike will have a big role. He's very capable," Trump said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal - the first since his election, adding that he expected his vice-president would serve as his "liaison" with Congress.

Trump included three of his children and his son-in-law Jared Kushner on the transition team - a move likely to raise eyebrows, since the tycoon earlier announced that should he win he would place his vast business interests into a blind trust operated by Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump.

And in a clear shift with his abrasive campaign, he added to his transition team a string of insider figures from the very establishment that he railed against so strongly, including Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus - now tipped as a possible chief of staff.

It’s also been announced Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel will become an advisor.

Trump campaign CEO Steve Bannon, the former boss of Breitbart, was in Trump Tower when he was named vice-president of the transition team.

"Together this outstanding group of advisors, led by Vice President-elect Mike Pence, will build on the initial work done under the leadership of New Jersey governor Chris Christie to help prepare a transformative government, ready to lead from day one", Trump said in a statement announcing the change.

"Drain the swamp" became a popular Trump refrain in the closing weeks of the race as he vowed to end the ways of the US capital.