Phil Rosenfelt

Philip H. Rosenfelt is an American lawyer and civil servant who has served as the acting United States Secretary of Education since January 20, 2021. He served in this same position under the Trump administration prior to the Senate confirming Betsy Devos.

Phil Rosenfelt
Acting United States Secretary of Education
Incumbent
Assumed office January 20, 2021
President	Joe Biden
Preceded by	Mick Zais (acting)
In office January 20, 2017 – February 7, 2017
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	John King Jr.
Succeeded by	Betsy DeVos
General Counsel of the United States Department of Education
Acting
In office January 20, 2017 – April 23, 2018
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	James Cole Jr.
Succeeded by	Carlos G. Muñiz
Deputy General Counsel of the United States Department of Education for Program Service
Incumbent
Assumed office March 2005 Acting: March 2005 – July 2006
President	George W. Bush Barack Obama Donald Trump Joe Biden
Personal details
Born	Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
Political party	Independent
Education	University of Pennsylvania (BS) Columbia University (JD) New York University (LLM)

On November 23, 2016, President-elect Donald Trump announced Betsy DeVos to be his designee for Secretary of Education.[1] Prior to DeVos' confirmation by the United States Senate, Rosenfelt was the acting Secretary of Education. Rosenfelt served until DeVos was sworn in on February 7, 2017.

With the departure of Betsy DeVos at the end of former president Donald Trump's term, Rosenfelt once again assumed the position of acting secretary; this time under the administration of President Joe Biden. Rosenfelt is serving in an acting capacity under Joe Biden's administration as the Senate reviews the nomination of Miguel Cardona for the position.

Personal life

Born in Paterson, New Jersey, Rosenfelt is of Jewish descent. He received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Pennsylvania, his juris doctor from Columbia University, and his LLM from New York University. He began his service in the federal government in 1971 at the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.[2]

Career

In 2005, Rosenfelt assumed the position of Deputy General Counsel of the United States Department of Education for Program Service. He served under the administration of George W. Bush. He has continued to serve in that capacity since his appointment.

From January 20, 2017 to April 23, 2018, Rosenfelt served as the General Counsel of the United States Department of Education.

He has been designated as the acting United States Secretary of Education on two occasions; the first of these from January 20, 2017 to February 7, 2017, and the second from January 20, 2021 until present. He will be replaced by President Biden's nominee Miguel Cardona upon his Senate confirmation.

References

1. Hensley-Clancy, Molly (November 23, 2016). "Trump Picks Betsy DeVos As Education Secretary". Buzzfeed.com. Retrieved November 23, 2016.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
2. "The Education Department Is In Good Hands—For Now". Romper. Retrieved February 8, 2021.

External links

• Appearances on C-SPAN