Governor Mike Parson of Missouri insisted this week that he would only ever appoint someone who shares his “Christian values,” suggesting he has a narrow religious litmus test for positions of power in his government.

The situation ensued after Parson’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Senior Services, Don Kauerauf, was effectively killed off by Republican senators who refused to hold hearings for him. The Republicans weren’t fans of Kauerauf because, even though he’s against COVID vaccine mandates, mask mandates, and abortion rights, they still felt he wasn’t conservative enough. That’s because Kauerauf made the mistake of saying vaccines were effective and that Missouri’s low vaccination rates were “atrocious.” (As we know all too well by now, acknowledging scientific reality offends Republican sensibilities.)

But it’s what happened next that caused the real stir.