Within hours of losing control of the House of Representatives, Donald Trump clashed with a reporter and fired his top law enforcement officer.

Any hopes yesterday's midterm result would lead to a less divisive atmosphere have faded fast.

The sacking of Attorney-General Jeff Sessions doesn't come as a surprise

The timing — a day after the midterms — is no accident.

The President was furious when Mr Sessions recused himself from investigations into Russia's possible meddling in US elections and collusion with the Trump campaign, paving the way for the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

What will happen to the Mueller investigation?

At a press conference this morning Donald Trump went on a familiar tear about the probe.

"It should end because it is very bad for our country … and they should look at the other side also," he told reporters.

Mr Sessions's chief of staff — Matthew Whitaker — has been appointed Acting Attorney-General.

In the past Mr Whitaker has called for limits to be put on the Mueller investigation saying any investigation into Mr Trump's finances is going too far.

"So I could see a scenario where Jeff Sessions is replaced … and that (new) attorney-general doesn't fire Bob Mueller but he just reduces his budget to so low that his investigations grinds to almost a halt," Mr Whitaker said in a CNN interview in July 2017.

Democrat Senator Chuck Schumer has warned "any attorney-general … should not be able to be able to interfere in the Mueller investigation in any way. They should not be able to end it. They should not be able to limit it".

Earlier this year when Republicans held a slim majority in the Senate, the judiciary committee introduced legislation that would make it harder for Mr Mueller to be fired. Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell refused to bring it to the Senate floor for a vote.

Republicans are now on track to expand on their Senate majority after yesterday's elections, potentially making any effort to pass such a bill even harder.

Sorry, this video has expired Donald Trump clashes with CNN's Jim Acosta in a fiery press conference.

The numbers may make it easier for Trump to confirm a permanent Sessions replacement

It's tipped to be someone more sympathetic to the President's cause.

The timing comes as little surprise — it's understood Mr Trump has wanted to get rid of Mr Sessions for months but that he'd been advised doing so could have a negative impact on Republicans fighting in tight races in the midterms.

The sacking comes as Mr Trump braces for an expected barrage of investigations into him and his administration now that Democrats have control of the House. They now have subpoena power over things like Mr Trump's tax returns and have indicated they are willing to use it.

Mr Sessions was one of Mr Trump's earliest supporters. He backed the President despite the barrage of attacks and in his resignation letter thanked Mr Trump for the opportunity to serve.

His loyalty went unrewarded — Mr Trump reportedly left it to his Chief of Staff, John Kelly, to tell Mr Sessions the President wanted him to step down.