Background checks have always been done on political appointees. They aren't a requirement for getting the position but historically they've been done prior to

Background checks have always been done on political appointees. They aren't a requirement for getting the position but historically they've been done prior to appointment so that leadership knows if they are a security risk. And for appointees that require congressional confirmation the checks have been giving to congress prior to hearings for the same reason. They weren't required but they very much have been done for political appointees in every admin in recent history except this one.