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Yes, I think you are right.  T rump purposely does not replace dept heads because the acting directors are more malleable and as you point out, he doesn’t have to get Senate approval.  And he has done other things to make the roles of Congress moot.

As far as the other branch of govt, the judicial, they are, so far, proving to be more problematic for T rump.  But he has gotten a strong start on  undermining that as well.  He has quietly gotten a record number of federal justices appointed of his choosing.  And he has 2 Supreme Court Justice appointments already.

As far as the media goes, he controls half of it and demonizes the other half.

He is gutting the depts staffed by everyday Americans, calling them the Deep State.  When he does replace them, it is with a crony or an obsequious kiss ass.

He has worn down the military leadership, so that now, they will immediately go along with his impulsive and extraordinarily bad military whims.  Look out next time T rump wants to nuke a hurricane.