James Mattis, Ben Carson, Mike Pompeo to face Senate hearings

President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet hearings continue Thursday with secretary of defense nominee James Mattis, secretary of housing and development nominee Ben Carson, and CIA director nominee Mike Pompeo.

While ABC News reports that Rep. Pompeo (R-Kan.), a member of the House intelligence committee, is expected to face friendly questioners Thursday morning, if confirmed, he would be responsible for the daunting task of mending relations between Trump and the U.S. intelligence community, which Trump has repeatedly dismissed and discredited.

Pompeo has also supported controversial measures, such as waterboarding, and called for increased government surveillance in the face of terrorism. He has also been a critic of President Barack Obama's Iran deal, warning that it is "empowering an Iranian regime that is intent on destroying America."

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Carson is likely to be confirmed easily as well, although he will face a "laundry list" of questions from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). Mattis is "well-liked" but will face obstacles such as requiring a waiver to be confirmed due to the fact that retired military officers are not allowed to lead the Pentagon for seven years after retirement, and he retired in 2013.