Protests have taken place at the start of Senate hearings for some of Donald Trump's picks for his first cabinet.
Two men dressed in KKK robes heckled senators at Jeff Sessions' confirmation hearing for attorney general in Washington DC, before being removed from the room.
The senator promised he will crack down on illegal immigration, gun violence and the "scourge of radical Islamic terrorism" in prepared remarks at the opening of his hearing.
He also warned of a country struggling to combat illegal drugs flowing across its border, spikes in violent crime and low morale among the police.
The President-elect had described his cabinet picks as "all at the highest level" and predicted on Monday that all of his candidates would win Senate confirmation.
But politicians from both parties will pore over the background material, including billionaires whose personal financial dealings have never faced public scrutiny before.
A similar hearing for retired Marine Corps General John Kelly - chosen to be Homeland Security secretary - is also set to take place on Tuesday.
Seven other cabinet picks will face hearings this week, with some likely to have to negotiate difficult questions over business dealings, political alliances and civil rights records.
Here is a look at some of Mr Trump's picks and the questions they could face:
Attorney General - Jeff Sessions
The Alabama Senator, one of the most staunchly conservative members of the Senate, will be challenged over his stance on immigration and his record on civil rights.
Two Democratic senators have voiced their opposition to his selection, with New Jersey Senator Cory Booker saying he will testify against his "concerning" record on civil rights and criminal justice reform.
The Democrats do not have the power to block Mr Sessions' nomination because the Republicans control the Senate, but could use two days of confirmation hearings to highlight concerns among Hispanics, African Americans and women ahead of the 2018 election cycle.
In 1986, his nomination for a federal judgeship was rejected amid accusations that he called a black attorney "boy". He denied that claim.
He has also faced scrutiny over his stance on immigration, including strong opposition to the 2013 bipartisan bill which included a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the US illegally.
Defence - James Mattis
The 66-year-old retired from the Marine Corps as a General in 2013, having served as the commander of the US Central Command.
Nicknamed "Mad Dog", technically he does not qualify to be defence secretary because he has not been out of the military for long enough.
Under the National Security Act, the secretary of defence must be a civilian retired from the military for at least seven years - so Mr Trump's administration will need Congress to waive its rules.
That waiver would require further hearings and a Senate vote, with Democrat support required to approve any nomination.
Concerns have also been raised about his lack of diplomatic experience, after he told a forum in San Diego in 2005: "Actually, it's a lot of fun to fight. You know, it's a hell of a hoot.
"It's fun to shoot some people."
Secretary of State - Rex Tillerson
The outgoing ExxonMobil chairman and chief executive could face tough questioning over his relationship with Russia's Vladimir Putin.
Mr Tillerson, 64, was given the Order of Friendship by Mr Putin in 2013, who said he had earned the honour for his work "strengthening co-operation in the energy sector".
He has been a vocal critic of US sanctions against Russia after it annexed Crimea in 2014 and will face questioning about benefits for ExxonMobil if those sanctions are lifted once he is in office, as well as concerns over conflicts of interest.
If only three Republicans vote against him it could be enough to block his appointment, with three senators - John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Marco Rubio already expressing doubts.
Given his 41 years with Exxon, there will also be concerns over his position on climate change.
Homeland Security - John Kelly
The retired General will be pressed on Mr Trump's plans to build a border wall with Mexico and steps to boost immigration security.
He is one of several retired generals among the President-elect's picks, raising concerns about undue military influence in his administration.
Gen Kelly is widely respected by both parties, however, and his military experience is applicable to the role.
He is also former head of the military's Southern Command, based in Florida, which works with the Department of Homeland Security to combat human trafficking and drug smuggling.
CIA director - Mike Pompeo
The Kansas congressman and member of the Tea Party movement has been a fierce critic of Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran.
In November, he wrote on Twitter: "I look forward to rolling back this disastrous deal with the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism."
He would also be taking office amid a clamour for investigations into Russian hacking after the CIA found Vladimir Putin had "ordered a campaign of influence" during the US election.
Housing and urban development - Ben Carson
The retired neurosurgeon also stood for the Republican nomination and he and Mr Trump clashed during debates, before Dr Carson went on to endorse the billionaire saying the two had "buried the hatchet".
Critics have pointed at his lack of experience in urban development and said his description of homosexuality as a "choice" and apparent support of conversion therapy raises concerns over how he would address housing needs within that community.
Dr Carson at first said he did not want a role in Mr Trump's administration, before accepting the nomination.
Health - Tom Price
A key post in Mr Trump's administration, given his pledge to replace Mr Obama's signature Affordable Care Act.
Mr Price, 62, is an orthopaedic surgeon and Georgia congressman who has spoken against abortion.
Democrats will be keen to question him on allegations of insider trading after a Wall Street Journal report last month claimed he had traded more than $300,000 in shares from healthcare companies while promoting legislation in Congress that could influence stock prices in those firms.
Energy - Rick Perry
The former Texas Governor could face embarrassing questions from senators after he was picked for the post he threatened to eliminate while running for the Republican nomination in 2011.
During a TV debate, Mr Perry said he wanted to do away with the commerce and education departments, but stumbled over the third area he wanted to axe before later revealing it was energy.
Education - Betsy DeVos
A 58-year-old billionaire Republican donor, Ms DeVos is an advocate of the privatisation of education.
Thousands of people have signed petitions against her confirmation and critics have noted she sent her children to private school and claim her support for lax regulation of charter schools reveals an antipathy to public education.
In 2005, she said the traditional public education system was a "dead end".
Ms DeVos' husband, Dick, is heir to the Amway fortune while her brother Erik Prince founded the controversial private security contractor Blackwater.
Senior adviser - Jared Kushner
Husband of Mr Trump's daughter Ivanka, Mr Kushner has no political experience but has been selected to be a senior White House adviser by his father-in-law.
That position does not require confirmation by the US Senate, but the 35-year-old's appointment could be challenged by an anti-nepotism law that bans presidents from hiring family members.
Mr Kushner has reportedly played a key role in coordinating contacts with foreign leaders and shaping Middle East policy on Mr Trump's transition team.
He will apparently relinquish his roles as CEO of the family's real estate company and as editor of the New York Observer newspaper.