In a potential setback for those proclaiming, “Donald Trump is NOT a fascist!”, the president-elect has made a demand that seems quite authoritarian: he wants to appoint government officials without needing Senate approval.

Trump has been talking about “recess appointments” recently. This rule lets the president fill key government roles when Congress is not in session. It’s primarily designed for emergency scenarios, not for an incoming president intent on evading scrutiny over his administration’s appointments.

It’s apparent why Trump is eager for this approach, given that many of his Cabinet selections so far range from laughably ridiculous to outright nonsensical. For example, he has proposed Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist, to head the Department of Health and Human Services; Kristi Noem, a controversial figure, for Homeland Security; and a scandal-ridden Matt Gaetz as attorney general. Plus, he’s suggested a Fox News host with a tough appearance to lead the Department of Defense.

These individuals wouldn’t qualify for even the most trivial local job—except possibly Noem in a cat-led town—so it’s understandable that Trump wants to sidestep a confirmation process that would expose the extent of this bizarre selection of nominees.

Trump’s wish for recess appointments reflects a trend of ignoring norms

However, using recess appointments to fill an administration isn’t what the Founding Fathers envisioned.

The late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia once stated that recess appointments are “essentially an historic relic, something whose original purpose has disappeared,” which highlights that they are now primarily used to help presidents bypass the Senate’s essential role in the appointment process.

Alexander Hamilton stressed the importance of Senate confirmation for presidential appointments, arguing that this ensures the president wouldn’t be inclined to propose candidates based merely on personal connections or allegiance, or choose those who are unqualified to serve his needs.

If Trump gets his way, all Republicans might as well bear tattoos that proclaim: “Obsequious Instruments of His Pleasure.”

Republicans wanted Trump; now they should let him make his selections.

This is why I believe, against all logic and despite numerous warnings from those who grasp the concept of democracy, that Republican lawmakers should allow Trump to use recess appointments. Forget about the traditional concepts he despises, like common “norms,” “standards,” and “the Constitution.”

The china shop belongs to all of us, but Republicans are the ones who let the bull loose. I say let it charge forward.

Hannibal Lecter as head of the USDA? Sure, why not?

When Trump decides to appoint an out-of-control Tesla to lead the Department of Transportation, I want the Republican Party to take full responsibility.

If the current spouse of a five-times-divorced ex-con Trump, who used to frequent strip clubs, ends up as secretary of the Treasury, I think the GOP will need to address that and the likely fallout. (I can’t predict who that person would be, but I’m certain she exists.)

When the Department of Agriculture is run by the infamous Dr. Hannibal Lecter, I wish congressional Republicans had to accept that reality.

Choosing Matt Gaetz as attorney general reflects Trump’s style

Trump represents what Republicans and many American voters desire. Therefore, Trump should deliver just that. Not “Trump with his authoritarian tendencies softened by others,” nor “Trump with his poor judgment improved by smarter advisors.”

Just Trump. Unfiltered and straightforward.

This is why individuals like Gaetz are ideal for his administration. Gaetz is someone even Republicans are wary of, which is surprising considering the party’s current low standards.

The Florida congressman resigned recently, just before an ethics probe into allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use was due to be made public.

But if Trump intends to appoint someone as unqualified and unfavorable as Gaetz as our attorney general through a recess appointment, I hope Republicans allow it. You all signed up for this journey, so don’t back out now.

Let the unpredictable king choose his appointees, and we’ll all know who is accountable

Despite my disdain for Trump’s revival in the White House, I genuinely want what’s best for our country. I mean it. I’m not hoping for failure. I just want the Republicans to fully own whatever happens next.

If Trump appoints a burning oil rig to lead the Department of Energy, I hope it excels like no other burning oil rig has before.

If Noem keeps our homeland secure and avoids any further incidents with dogs, I’ll be first in line to commend her.

If Fox News host Pete Hegseth, whose arm tattoos have been likened to a survey of contemporary Christian nationalist culture, leads the Defense Department with integrity, I’ll be genuinely pleased.

However, if Trump’s unconventional choices for leadership result in problems, I won’t be surprised. That’s why I support the idea of recess appointments. Let Trump be himself. You wanted that. Relish it.

And when someone like Gaetz inevitably acts foolishly, which he will, or perhaps illegally, which is a possibility, the blame for this chaos will rightfully fall on the lap of the compliant Republicans.