Final answer:
Presidents from George Washington to Obama have shaped their administrations through appointments and foreign policy, with each contributing to the expansion of presidential power and influence over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Presidential administrations often influence the direction of the nation through policy and leadership. For example, John F. Kennedy emphasized public service in his administration, calling for America's best to serve their country. Similarly, prominent figures have served in the administrations of other presidents, shaping the nation through times of change and challenge.
Historical figures like Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Gerald R. Ford, Richard Nixon, Lyndon B. Johnson, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Harry S. Truman, and Franklin D. Roosevelt each brought their unique vision and style to the presidency. While their policies and the issues they faced varied, their administrations all included individuals appointed to carry out their executive directives, some through patronage and others through merit-based systems due to civil service reforms.
George Washington set precedents by establishing a cabinet and engaging in diplomat-in-chief duties with his neutrality proclamation. As the role of the presidency evolved, succeeding presidents followed in expanding both their formal and informal powers, particularly in the realms of foreign policy and international affairs