more power or less power to the executive branch?

Let me at least try to change the subject from toilet paper to something less, say, superfluous. I'll do my best. Would yall come with me?
I'm reading a good, yet controversial (my personal opinion) book by Judge Andrew Napolitano, foreworded by Senator Rand Paul, titled "Suicide Pact, The Radical Expansion and the Lethal Threat of Presidential Powers to American Liberty."
I can't help it but contrast his ideas and mindset with those of another American contemporary giant, current Attorney General William Barr, whose belief is diametrically opposed to Napolitano's.
Here are two clashing excerpts, actually the heart of each author's divergent mindsets, for your thoughts and comments. So, feel free to leave your impressions, regardless of how superficial or profound they are.
ANDREW NAPOLITANO
"Governments have all reflected the inevitable growth of power and the shrinkage of personal freedoms. Not only has American government grown, but within the government, the executive branch of government has grown to dominate the legislative and judicial branches."
BILL BARR
"I deeply admire the American Presidency as a political and constitutional institution. I believe it is, one of the great, and remarkable innovations in our Constitution, and has been one of the most successful features of the Constitution in protecting the liberties of the American people. More than any other branch, it has fulfilled the expectations of the Framers. Unfortunately, over the past several decades, we have seen steady encroachment on Presidential authority by the other branches of government. This process I think has substantially weakened the functioning of the Executive Branch, to the detriment of the Nation."
Keeping the necessary distance and proportion, as these are just isolated quotes, which statement do you think the Framers had in mind concerning the establishment of an independent Executive Branch in Article II of the Constitution? Do we currently have an overarching presidency or a restricted presidency?

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