In a dysfunctional family it would be considered manipulation or game playing. A form of invalidation
Remember that BO maneuvered other opponents out of his way in his rise to power...It's become his MO as a criminal might exhibit.
I'm certain there is a psychological term for the mental patient who connives to get what they want....Sort of a serial killer mentality.
Politically it fall under the steps the communist use to take over a country. The end justifies the mean and all that...All is fair in love or war.
Yes, sociopathic and also like a communist takeover, save for the murders.