President Ford had the opportunity to choose a justice after William Douglas suffered a stroke in late 1974 and retired in 1975. Ford selected U.S. Court of Appeals judge John Paul Stevens, who was easily confirmed. Stevens served until 2010 on the Court, writing many important decisions.

Gerald R. Ford is the only person in American history to be vice president and president without being elected to either office. He was appointed vice president after Spiro Agnew resigned and he was appointed president after Richard Nixon resigned.