I don't think it's clear how much Barr controls the DOJ against the Deep State elements inside the DOJ.
I think Barr letting McCabe off the hook (on the WSJ leak/lie stuff) is a sign that he may be buckling under the enormous pressure.
He overrode his prosecutors on their Stone sentencing recommendations, which was good. But then, after feeling the enormous pressure, he most likely didn't override his prosecutors on their McCabe recommendation.
“I think Barr letting McCabe off the hook (on the WSJ leak/lie stuff) is a sign that he may be buckling under the enormous pressure.”
Ding!