WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s transition from gadfly to leader of the free world got off to an uneven start this week. Although he tapped a succession of prominent conservatives to serve in his administration — as would any typical Republican — his interactions with various world leaders seemed slipshod and haphazard.

The New York Times reported that important leaders resorted to cold-calling Trump to reach him. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both succeeded in getting through this way. When Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull couldn’t find a number, he asked his nation’s US ambassador for help. That envoy got hold of famed Aussie golfer Greg Norman, a Trump pal, who provided Trump’s personal cellphone number, according to BuzzFeed.

With an introduction like that, Trump was only too happy to take the call, but the ensuing 15-minute conversation took place over an unsecured phone line. Meanwhile, Trump’s first such face-to-face meeting took place with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. But in a break with protocol, Trump inexplicably brought his daughter Ivanka to the meeting.

But at least the Republicans have a transition to struggle with. For the second week in a row, Democrats were trying to absorb their Election Day losses and what it means for their party’s future. Congress now remains firmly in Republican hands, and the White House soon will be, too. If Trump makes good on his pre-election vows regarding judicial appointments, the Supreme Court will follow.