There are three rules for cabinet appointmentsThe first two rules are straightforward. Cabinet ministers must have educational credentials or experience in government or the private sector that is seen as relevant for their post. Our research shows that friendship and personal relationships powerfully predict cabinet appointments. Trump needs to appoint only three or four women to Cabinet secretary positions to match his Republican and Democratic predecessors. Breaking rules can be costlyWe find that there are sanctions for presidents and prime ministers who violate the informal rules of cabinet appointments.

Source: Washington Post November 25, 2016 15:05 UTC