Q asks why did POTUS give authority to Barr?

Q says C comes before D

Interpret as POTUS did go to Coats first (step c) but Coats did not agree that the public interest outweighed the need to remain classified.

Next (step d) is to go to agency head (Barr) to use their discretion as to whether public interest outweighs damage to national security expected from disclosure.

The left has already begun to trash POTUS for skipping over DNI.

Will we soon find out he didn't and Coats just wouldn't pull the trigger?

MSM loses talking point. Again.

Proper procedure followed.