DEMS/EDUCATION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The White House on Friday [2-1-19] reversed its decision to abruptly replace the top acting watchdog at the Education Department after the move drew swift backlash from multiple congressional Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren. President Donald Trump had appointed Phil Rosenfelt, the department’s deputy general counsel, as the new acting inspector general, which Democrats said threatened the watchdog’s independence from the leadership of the agency. But the White House has now rescinded that appointment, an Education Department spokesperson said…Trump’s initial appointment of Rosenfelt as the agency’s new acting inspector general, which POLITICO first reported on Thursday [1-31-19], came without any public explanation. Rosenfelt had been set to replace Sandra Bruce, the deputy inspector general, who had been acting in the top spot for less than two months. But Bruce will now continue as acting inspector general since Trump has rescinded his appointment of Rosenfelt, Hill said.”
–Michael Stratford, “Trump backtracks on replacement of Education Department watchdog,” Politico, February 1, 2019 3:56 pm