President Biden and Diversity in Executive Appointments

Bibliographic Data

ID12761925
AuthorsIliya Liampert (Michigan State University), Ian Ostrander (0000-0001-5248-1780, Michigan State University, corresponding author)
Year2026
Publication date2026-02-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Politics Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1532-673X • E-ISSN: 1552-3373
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1532673x261429372
OpenAlexW7131617959
LanguageEN
References cited73

The representativeness of decision-making bodies relative to the population governed is a crucial factor for legitimacy. Most often, this principle is applied to elected bodies, but it equally pertains to appointed public officials. American presidents nominate individuals to lead executive bureaucracies that, in turn, influence and implement policy. However, in order to serve in these positions, nominees must pass through the constitutionally required Senate confirmation process. Using data from the full Biden administration, we explore how identity influences nominees’ experience of the appointments process and ultimately impacts the representativeness of American bureaucracies. The Biden administration represents a unique case, where a campaign promise to promote diversity in appointments led to a historic shift in nomination practice. Within these favorable conditions, we show that the Senate still serves as an obstacle to appointing a diverse slate of high-level officials, both in terms of delaying and denying such appointments. Evidence also suggests that group stereotypes continue to influence appointee placements. Our findings demonstrate the influence of individual characteristics beyond ideology in appointment politics and advance our understanding of identity within American institutions

Bureaucracy · Diversity (politics · Identity (music · Ideology · NOMINATE · Nomination · Politics · Population · Representativeness heuristic · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Gender Politics and Representation · Public Policy and Administration Research

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