Except Obama did not follow the APA in the first place, as Justice Thomas pointed out. But it's what it is I guess.
I think Obama just created the EO without *changing* any prior rule, but could be wrong. He certainly changed the wording of the statute.
I really believe it is the quality of advocacy. Dems are throwing the best in the country at Trump and his team is littered with luke warm bodies, people who hate Trump, Deep Staters. They take a dive and then blame the Judge. Sickening. Simply too much for Barr to surmount all by himself.