Barack Obama has made dozens of last minute appointments in the past few weeks...because he can.

On Monday he appointed Raffi Freedman-Gurspan, a transgender woman who was the White House LGBT Liaison, to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. She became the first openly trans White House staffer when she was appointed as Outreach and Recruitment Director in the Presidential Personnel Office in August of 2015.

Shawn Skelly, a Navy veteran (retiring at the rank of Commander in 2008) and transwoman has served as Director of the Executive Secretariat at the Department of Tramsportation. She has been appointed as a member of the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service.

These fine public servants bring a depth of experience and tremendous dedication to their important roles. I know they will serve the American people well.

--President Obama

We are grateful that President Obama has chosen these two stellar government officials to continue their work.

This shows yet again that the President is committed to ensuring that our government truly reflects the people it is representing.

--Mara Keisling, National Center for Transgender Equality

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the record of those appointed to the positions "speaks for themselves" and defended the decision to appoint current White House officials saying the positions are "new and different ways for them to serve that appeal to their own personal interests."