A long time ago, there was a riddle (joke?) that explained the vagaries of American jurisprudence.
Imagine approaching an intersection- one without a traffic light, a stop sign, or a yield sign. (I told you this was a long time ago.) Approaching in front of you is an ambulance with lights flashing, from your left a police car with sirens blaring, and on your right an approaching mail-coach. Which vehicle has the right of way?
Believe it or not, it was the US Mail coach. The US Government had arrogated to itself and its agencies the right of way in all situations.