[47] He chose four Southerners and three Northerners, the latter of whom were all considered to be doughfaces (Southern sympathizers).[48] His objective was to dominate the cabinet, and he chose men who would agree with his views.[49] Concentrating on foreign policy, he appointed the aging Lewis Cass as Secretary of State. Buchanan's appointment of Southerners and their allies alienated many in the North, and his failure to appoint any followers of Stephen A. Douglas divided the party.[39] Outside of the cabinet, he left in place many of Pierce's appointments but removed a disproportionate number of Northerners who had ties to Democrat opponents Pierce or Douglas. In that vein, he soon alienated their ally and his vice president, Breckinridge; the latter therefore played little role in the administration.[50]

Judicial appointments
Main article: List of federal judges appointed by James Buchanan
Buchanan appointed one Justice, Nathan Clifford, to the Supreme Court of the United States.[51] He appointed seven other federal judges to United States district courts. He also appointed two judges to the United States Court of Claims.