What's different this time is that Trump isn't headed into office assuming that the democrats are interested in a functioning United States government. This time he's learned from experience that the dems are merely there to gum up the works and will act accordingly.

Again, I think you're misremembering here. Trump didn't experience any much greater delay in filling his cabinet than recent past presidents. Just like every other President, nearly all the cabinet slots were confirmed by early March. Even Betsy DeVos, who was his most controversial and opposed pick, was confirmed on February 7. It took a tie-breaking vote from Pence, but she was confirmed in two and a half weeks. Again, the only real laggard was Labor, because Puzder drew the ire of Republicans in the Senate due to his hiring of an illegal immigrant housekeeper and some tax issues and had to withdraw the nomination. That happens from time to time, Obama had Tom Daschle (causing the HHS confirmation to be delayed). Clinton had Zoe Baird for AG. Bush 41 had John Tower at Defense.

It's understandable that Trump doesn't want his appointments vetted - I'm sure every President would prefer if the Founders had not given the Senate a role in who can serve as an officer of the United States. But that's not the system we have. Power is divided between the Executive and the Legislature, and even on things like staffing the cabinet the President does not get to act alone.