(CNN) The White House reversed a decision to replace the Education Department's acting inspector general on Friday, two days after the inspector general's office said it received word that a new acting head watchdog had been appointed.

The White House's choice for the post had raised concerns from Democratic lawmakers and the department's own inspector general's office.

In a phone call Wednesday, the White House and the Education Department had informed the department's internal watchdog that Education Deputy General Counsel Philip H. Rosenfelt would be replacing the acting inspector general effective immediately, according to Catherine Grant, spokeswoman for the Education Department Office of the Inspector General.

After former Education Department Inspector General Kathy Tighe retired at the end of 2018, her deputy, Sandra Bruce, became the de facto acting head of the office, per the department's normal line of succession for the post.

The Education Department inspector general is appointed by the White House with Senate confirmation. Under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, the "first assistant" of the office serves as the acting inspector general unless the President appoints someone else, according to Grant.

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