ABSTRACT
Presidents of the United States have few specific powers in the Constitution. One of these powers is the power of appointment. Presidents can appoint members of the cabinet, ambassadors, a number of White House staffers and other executive branch officials, and, when a vacancy occurs, a vice president and justices of the Supreme Court. When making an appointment, presidents look at a number of factors, including demographics, such as gender and geography. Presidents diversify their administrations or the Supreme Court for a number of reasons: to better represent the country, to heal divisions, or to make history. As the country has become more open and accepting of differences, it has become less risky for presidents to include once unpopular communities. Presidents may even be pressured to do so from outside groups or the media.
