[adorno]

More specifically, they seem to think they are above the other branches of the federal government

It's not that they think they're above the other branches. They know they're above the other branches. They know they can push to the upper limits and beyond, as long as the other branches don't bother to stop them. So far, the best the other branches have done is to make a lot of noise, but Obama and the administration keep getting away with everything.

Benghazi, and the IRS targeting of conservative groups, and the Fast and Furious scandal, and other cases of malfeasance, have been "investigated" with no real attempts to hold anyone responsible. We have a set of republican investigative committees that just hold hearings, and the president and cabinet members and the whole administration know that, republicans are feckless, and just going through the motions. So, why would Obama or anybody else in the administration have anything to worry about?

[Paine in the Neck]

More specifically, they seem to think they are above the other branches of the federal government

Yes, this should come as no surprise. Dictatorship has always been central to marxism. The Obama administration is chock full of marxists and wannabes. Why would anyone not expect them to grab for all the dictatorship they can?